Christopher Turner charged with killing baby in fatal hospital gas mix-up

A former gas fitter is facing a protracted legal battle after being accused of bungling the installation of gas pipes at a western Sydney hospital, allegedly leading to the death of one newborn and leaving another with brain damage.

Christopher Laurie Turner, 61, was represented by his lawyer in Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday after being charged with manslaughter of newborn John Ghanem and causing grievous bodily harm by a negligent act or omission relating to a second baby.

Police will allege the former BOC gas fitting contractor failed to adhere to Australian standards when certifying oxygen connections within the neonatal medical gas outlet at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital six years ago.

Baby John Ghanem died in July 2016 after he was ventilated with nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas, from a gas port labelled “oxygen” in an operating theatre at the hospital. He had been alive for less than an hour.

One month prior, newborn Amelia Khan suffered brain damage, epilepsy, and blindness after she was administered laughing gas during an emergency resuscitation.

Police allege Mr Turner was responsible for the administration of 100 per cent nitrous oxide instead of oxygen, which resulted in John’s death and Amelia’s permanent disability.

On Wednesday, the court was told the former gas fitter was facing a protracted legal battle after the Director of Public Prosecutions requested an eight-week adjournment.

“The brief (of evidence) is nowhere near ready,” the prosecutor said.

The court was told the “serious charges” were adjourned to December 21.

Mr Turner was fined $100,000 in 2020 over the fatal mix-up after he pleaded guilty to failing in his duty under the Work Health and Safety Act.

He was arrested in August and charged with the criminal offences over the fatal bungle after the DPP provided advice to the police.

Mr Turner will remain on bail.

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