Probe into death of Motherwell FC star Phil O’ Donnell concluded

Dec 24 2009 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

LAW chiefs have finally ended their probe into the death of Phil O’Donnell – almost two years to the day since the Motherwell captain collapsed and died during an SPL match.

A report was completed last week by the Procurator Fiscal at Hamilton after lengthy discussions and input from medical experts.

The fiscal’s findings have now been passed to Crown Counsel in Edinburgh, raising the possibility of a Fatal Accident Inquiry sometime next year.

The report may provide answers that will finally ease the anguish of 35-year-old Phil’s widow, Eileen, and children Megan (14) Christopher (12), nine-year-old Olivia and Luke (6).

Scottish football was rocked by Phil’s sudden death at Fir Park during a game against Dundee United on December 29, 2007.

He was just about to be substituted during his side’s 5-3 victory when he suddenly collapsed while standing alone during the later stages of the game.

Team-mates and medics battled frantically to save him. The club doctors of both Motherwell and Dundee United did all they could to help and the former Celtic and Scotland international was treated on the ground for fully five minutes before being taken to an ambulance.

A post mortem examination concluded that he had died of “left ventricular failure”, a heart condition which had previously gone undetected.

A spokesman for the Crown Office said:"The Procurator Fiscal in Hamilton has completed the investigation into the death of Phil O'Donnell and has submitted a report to Crown Counsel for consideration."

It will now be left to Crown Counsel to decide if a Fatal Accident Inquiry should be held. However, insiders suggest a decision should be reached early in the New Year.

FAI’s are usually mandatory under the law for anyone who dies in the course of their employment.

If one is ordered, it is almost certain that those involved in the tragic scenes on the pitch at Fir Park will be called as witnesses.

That could mean Phil’s team-mates, the referee, Motherwell medical staff and paramedics giving evidence.

The player’s nephew, team-mate David Clarkson who was also on the pitch at the time, may also be called.

Even though the cause of death is known, an FAI would try to establish if everything possible was done to prevent it. This could extend to medical screening procedures for players and the availability of emergency equipment at Fir Park.

However, it is also possible that the two-year probe will be the end of the matter.

On Tuesday, Phil’s widow Eileen will lead a 10-mile charity walk in his honour between his two favourite grounds, Fir Park and Celtic Park.

She said: “Christmas can be a difficult time for a lot of people for different reasons and so, even if folk are not doing the walk just for Phil, it might give them some comfort to join us.”

The walk will raise cash for the British Heart Foundation and Mary’s Meals.