Unlawful killing conclusion on Parklife reveller Robert Hart

The inquest into the death of Robert Hart at the 2014 Parklife Music Festival in Manchester has returned a conclusion of unlawful killing.

Robert, 26 and from Macclesfield, died in hospital after being punched at the event in June.

Moments before the attack, he had been dancing in a large crowd of people when an inflatable doll splashed his girlfriend, Gemma Parry, with mud. When Robert complained to a man he thought was responsible, he was assaulted.

Suffering from a head injury, Robert was taken by ambulance to North Manchester General Hospital but his condition deteriorated and he was transferred to Salford Royal Hospital, where he died three days later.

The inquest had previously been told of ‘dreadful failings’ leading up to the death of Robert which were felt by staff at Salford Royal.

Coroner Nigel Meadows, sitting at Manchester Town Hall, said Robert was unlawfully killed and there were failures to provide timely and appropriate medical advice.

Robert Hart's mother, Elaine, said her son ''died twice'' - first as a result of the attack at Parklife; the second time due to failures in his medical care.

Robert's father, Alan, commented he was astounded at what had happened at both hospitals. He said: ''Communication would have been better with cans and string.''

Mr Meadows said the failure of misinterpreting a CT scan at Salford Royal and the failure of the neurosurgeon registrar there to provide timely and appropriate advice also contributed to Robert’s death.

Coroner Nigel Meadows said the failures contributed to Robert’s death, but did not amount to ‘neglect’ by law.

He added: “It is paramount to both organisations [North Manchester and Salford Royal] that the experience has been insightful.”

Detective Superintendent Phil Reade, of Greater Manchester Police, said the inquest verdict was not the end of the Robert Hart case: ''We remain utterly dedicated to identifying and tracking down the man responsible for this mindless attack,'' he said.

“We are just as determined not only to find Robert's attacker, but also the people who seem intent on sheltering him from prosecution.

“We will continue to leave no stone unturned in this investigation and remain hopeful that we will be able to provide Robert’s family with the justice they deserve.”

Salford Royal Hospital's Medical Director Dr Pete Turkington commented afterwards: “The review into Robert’s care at Salford Royal highlighted that he did not receive the high standard of care we always pride ourselves on delivering and we have apologised unreservedly to his family for this.

“Following a full and detailed inquest, we were reassured that the coroner accepted the improvements we have implemented as a consequence of our investigation and that he ‘could not add anything of substance’ to the changes we have already made.

“We will continue to provide Greater Manchester Police with any information they require as part of their ongoing criminal investigation.”

Anyone with information about Robert's death is asked to call the incident room on 0161 856 3400 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.