Police took eight minutes to identify Henry Nowak’s stab wound before paramedics arrived, according to a newly released transcript from the incident.
The transcript, released by the BBC with no objections from Mr Nowak’s family, captures the panic among officers when they realised he had stopped breathing.
Vickrum Digwa was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years after killing Mr Nowak in Southampton in December.
The full transcript is below. Some readers may find it distressing:
Male police officer: “I’m not sure he’s breathing.”
A female officer checks for a pulse in his neck.
Male officer: “He’s not breathing.”
Female officer: “Right, let’s get the handcuffs off.”
Male officer: “Let me know — he’s not breathing.”
Female officer: “Yeah. (Speaking into radio) From 4-8, we don’t think he’s breathing. Could we get another unit here please? Got no pulse.”
Male officer: (unlocking handcuffs) “Medic or anything. ARV.”
Female officer: (on radio) “ARV towards us if we’ve got them with a defib.”
Male officer: “He’s unconscious, mate — he’s not breathing.” (continues chest compressions) “Come on mate. That’s it, that’s it. Keep breathing. Come on.” (Pauses) “No.”
Female officer: “No? Keep going.”
Male officer: “Come on mate. Stay with us.”
Female officer: “Yeah, that’s it mate, come on.”
Male officer: “That’s it. Come on, take a breath.” (continues CPR) “That’s it bro, I got you. Come on.”
As medics gave CPR advice over the phone, the male officer began tiring and the female officer took over chest compressions.
She then asked a colleague for help.
Female officer: “Can you put a torch… I just want to make sure he hasn’t been stabbed. Are you alright to hold it? Thank you.”
Female officer 2: “Do you want me to do it? Here you are.”
Female officer: “Cheers mate. Right, they’re gonna want him down to skin level for the defib.”
Female officer 2: “I’ve got some… oh, SCAS are here.”
South Central Ambulance Service arrived as officers continued CPR, and the full extent of Mr Nowak’s injuries became clear.
Female officer: “Have you got scissors? Grab some scissors.”
Male officer: (continuing CPR) “Come on, mate.” (whispers) “He’s gone. He’s got blood coming out of his nose… He’s gone.”
Female officer: “Right, stretch that clothing for me. Stretch it out. Perfect.” (clothing is cut) “There’s a lot of blood.”
Male officer: “Has he been stabbed there?”
Female officer: “Yeah, he’s got a stab… there’s a mark there.”
Male officer: “That makes it worse. He’s got a stab wound… I’m pushing on a stab wound.”
Female officer: “That’s okay. It’s fine. It’s not bleeding out. Keep going, keep going.”
Male officer: (continues chest compressions)
