THE tragic case of a Kidderminster man who died after emergency treatment in Worcester is planned to be used in a plea to the European courts.

The family of John Jones, whose fear of death if taken to Worcester came true last month, has backed the move.

Campaigners plan to cite an infringement of human rights in the decision to downgrade Kidderminster Hospital and send thousands of patients to Worcester and Redditch.

Louise Edginton, who has proposed the move, said they now had a cast-iron example in the case of Mr Jones.

She said: "He was successfully treated twice at Kidderminster and yet died on his first trip to Worcester.

"We believe this is a case of someone who has been harmed by the removal of local emergency services and we hope to prove this in the Court of Human Rights."

Mr Jones, 69, who lived within five minutes of Kidderminster Hospital, arrived at Ronkswood 50 minutes after an ambulance was called on the fateful day.

He died within 20 minutes of arriving at its coronary care unit.

Mr Jones, who owed his life to being treated at Kidderminster twice, predicted he would die if he made the Worcester trip.

He wrote letters to the Prime Minister pleading for the downgrading to be stopped.

Mrs Edginton, a Bewdley town councillor, hopes folk will back a fighting fund to take the case to Europe.

She said: "When I read the story in the Shuttle/Times & News it was heartbreaking.

"My family will happily start off this fund with a £50 donation to support Mrs Jones.

"I am sure many other families will feel the same and we could use some legal help too."

Anyone interested should call Mrs Edginton on 01299 403858.