Premature baby may have been exposed to diesel fumes by Glan Clwyd

Annie-Jo Mountcastle, along with twin sister Florence-Rose, was born at the Bodelwyddan hospital on February 5, 2017, which was 12 weeks prior to their due date.

The twins remained in hospital until late April, but Annie-Jo died at her family’s home, near Llanfair Talhaiarn, on November 17, 2017.

Both twins also developed chronic lung disease after their births.

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Investigation into whether Glan Clwyd diesel fumes caused baby’s death

Amy Dean with her late daughter, Annie-Jo Mountcastle. (Image: Amy Dean) (Image: Amy Dean)

At a second pre-inquest hearing, held in Ruthin today (November 30), it was heard that the two pathologists who undertook her post-mortem examination recorded an unascertained cause of death provisionally.

Her final cause of death will be recorded by John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, following the full inquest into her death.

While Annie-Jo was in hospital, work to construct a neonatal unit at the hospital was being carried out simultaneously by BAM Construction.

It is the belief of both of her parents that diesel fumes transmitted from the works entered into the area where she was being kept.

During today’s hearing, it was accepted by Janine Wolstenholme and Patricia Gaskell, counsel for the Mountcastle family and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board respectively, that repeated requests were made for windows to be shut.

There is also debate as to whether the fact that both babies were placed in an incubator in hospital would have provided a barrier from the fumes, or exacerbated the risks posed.

Annie-Jo's siblings sat on her memorial bench on Pensarn Beach (Image: Amy Dean)

Mr Gittins, presiding over today’s hearing, said he intends to sit alone at the full inquest, rather than with a jury.

He said he had “read every page” of a 68-page document submitted by Annie-Jo’s father, David Mountcastle, but that much of it comprised “inadmissible opinion, rather than factual evidence”.

Dr Ian Barnard, though he did not have direct involvement with Annie-Jo in hospital, will be asked to give evidence in person at the full inquest.

A couple of experts will also share independent evidence.

BAM Construction may not be listed as an interested party, though Mr Gittins stressed that he is “not seeking to exclude” the firm from proceedings, and said that some of its evidence will be relevant.

Ms Gaskell has been asked if she can “firm up” the view of the health board regarding the closing of windows, meanwhile.

Mr Gittins said he hopes to progress to a conclusion of the inquest in the “early to middle part of next year”, and anticipates that the full hearing will not need to last longer than one day.

At the previous pre-inquest hearing on March 23, he said efforts must be made to make “every possible investigation” and to “tick every single box” in discerning Annie-Jo’s cause of death.