Infected blood probe is '30 years too late'

THE family of a Plymouth boy who died after receiving infected blood have welcomed the findings of an inquiry which reveals a cover-up – but said it is “30 years too late”.

- WILLIAM TELFORD

The sister and brother of Colt Denver Price, who died aged just 10 years old, said he had been handed a “death sentence” by doctors in Plymouth.

Colt, a haemophiliac, was coinfected with HIV and Hepatitis C or B through contaminated Factor VIII (FVIII) concentrate in the 1980s. He developed AIDS Related Complex and died as a result of complications of pneumonia in August 1992.

Colt’s sister Sarah-Jane Ward and brother Troy Price, both from Plymouth, have been taking part in the Infected Blood Inquiry which yesterday concluded that the treatment disaster could and should have been largely avoided.

Inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff’s report said patients were knowingly exposed to “unacceptable risks”. The five-year investigation also accuses doctors, the Government and NHS of trying to cover-up what happened.