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Inquest concludes that British Airways pilot died as a result of an overdose of Pentobarbital

19th April 2017

Keith Morton QC represented the Civil Aviation Authority at the high profile Inquest into the death of Mr Richard Westgate, a former British Airways pilot.

In the course of the investigation into Mr Westgate’s death it had been suggested he died as a result of exposure to organophosphates in the course of his work as a pilot. Following detailed consideration of the expert medical evidence Dr Simon Fox QC, the Assistant Coroner, ruled that there was no evidential foundation for that suggestion. The Inquest concluded on 13 April 2017 with a finding that Mr Westgate died as a result of an overdose of Pentobarbital. The Coroner’s conclusion was Accidental Death.


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Keith Morton QC

Keith Morton QC
Head of Chambers
Year of Call: 1990
Year of Silk: 2011

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