A Chester-le-Street couple is involved in a race against the clock to secure justice for their son who died in tragic circumstances while on holiday in Greece ten years ago.
The case of Christopher Rochester sparked off an international row and continues to sour relationships between the two countries.
The 24-year-old plunged 40ft from his hotel balcony in Rhodes and was then denied medical attention as he lay unattended on a trolley for three hours at Faliraki hospital.
What followed was a series of trials in which three doctors were found guilty of failing to act properly to save his life and each sentenced in 2003 to three years in jail, suspended pending an appeal.
At an inquest in Britain a verdict of accidental death contributed to by neglect was delivered by the coroner. And to add to the family’s distress it was discovered that one of Christopher’s kidneys had been removed after his death.
The Greek doctors subsequently won an acquittal on appeal, but in 2008, after a protracted campaign by the family, one was convicted of manslaughter by neglect and two walked free.
The controversy over the missing kidney went to the High Court in Athens where submissions were presented by both sides with the Greek defence claiming the kidney had been removed in order to carry out further post mortem tests.
Why this should have been necessary is not clear and the illicit removal of a kidney is considered a felony under Greek law.
A kidney was eventually returned to the UK and its presently being held at Dryburn Hospital. But when tests were carried out it turned out to be that of a stranger. It is now coming up for five years since the hearing of the case, which is subject to a statute of limitation that is due to run out in April.
George and Pam Cummings (above right), who live in Auckland, believe they are being stonewalled by Greek authorities in the hope that the book can be legally closed on the whole affair.
George, who was Christopher’s stepfather said: “We are now involved in a race against time to take this further through the Greek legal system. To prove our contention that the kidney is not Christopher’s they have asked for his body to be exhumed. Pam has offered to provide a DNA sample and that would resolve the issue without all the trauma surrounding an exhumation.
“But it is obvious to us that they just want the whole thing to go away and the five-year deadline is up in April. The Greek authorities have behaved atrociously throughout the whole episode and words can’t begin to describe the disgust we feel.
“Christopher died a result of neglect and there was no reason to remove his kidney. We fear that it may have been taken and sold on the black market for human organs. Kidney’s can command very high prices,” said George.
Throughout the Cummings’ fight for justice they have been supported by North Durham MP Kevin Jones. He has been pressing for an update on the situation and has reported that the British Vice Consul on Rhodes met with the Deputy Public Prosecutor of Misdemeanours on Jan 25.
Last year the Home Office wrote to the Greek Ministry of Justice seeking detailed information on the medical negligence case against the jailed Greek doctor and conformation of a response from the Greek authorities that they accept Mrs Cummings request for non-exhumation.
At this late stage replies and responses that would allow the case to move forward are ‘pending.’
“It is possible to extend the five-year deadline if charges are brought against someone. But the Greeks seem quite happy to stall on investigations that would prove the kidney is not Christopher’s and let the five-year deadline pass.
“One thing I can promise the Greek authorities is that we are determined not to let this case be conveniently swept under the carpet. If need be we will demand action through the Court of Human Rights,” added George.
