Three quizzed over blocked tube death

Three medical staff have been arrested and questioned over the death of nine-year-old Tony Clowes who died during a routine hospital operation, it emerged today.

His death at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford was caused by a blockage in a breathing tube. It sparked a nationwide probe after it was discovered that there had been five other similar cases in other hospitals.

A spokesman for Essex police said today: "There is no suggestion that any member of the medical staff deliberately blocked the breathing tube but we are investigating to see if there was any criminal negligence surrounding his death."

The three staff, two men and one woman, were questioned on suspicion of manslaughter at Chelmsford police station in January and released on police bail. They have been interviewed twice about the circumstances surrounding Tony's death but have not been charged. A report has been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Tony, from Dagenham, died on the operating table last July as he was given anaesthetic. He was having an operation on a finger which he cut when he fell off his bike.

Police stressed that the hospital staff, whose professions are not being revealed, were arrested because of allegations made about their conduct after the tube was found to be blocked. A police source said: "Like many medical cases, the question here is whether the staff did what they should have done when things went wrong."