A FATHER-OF-TWO died from sepsis and organ failure after suffering from an extremely rare reaction to a dog bite on his hand, an inquest has heard.

Damian Holden, of Alum Court, Holmes Chapel, was on a camping holiday in Wales on June 18, 2009, with his pregnant wife Nicola and son Sam.

But while the family were trying to put the tent up, their dog Eric, a weimaraner, was getting in the way and when Mr Holden pushed him aside the dog nipped his hand.

The family thought nothing more of it, but the 35-year-old became increasingly feverish.

He was rushed to Leighton Hospital in the middle of the night, three days later.

During this time, the swine flu pandemic was at its height and he was misdiagnosed and taken to the wrong ward.

Important blood results were also not seen for more than two hours by Dr Erekosima, who was treating him.

Dr Erekosima said this was because the hospital was extremely busy because of the pandemic and he didn’t have access to the computers as he was working as a locum.

“When you did see the blood results you were extremely concerned,” said Alastair Forrest, advocate for the family.

“But these blood results had been very important before the patient was transferred out of A&E.”

However, Cheshire Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg praised Dr Erekosima for correctly diagnosing Mr Holden with sepsis. The court also heard that the ultimate outcome could not have been changed.

Dr David Almond, a consultant physician and expert witness, said: “This question of if earlier indication could have prevented this is asked quite a lot.

“These things are usually an unstoppable train. It’s about how the body reacts which determines what the outcome is.

Mr Rheinberg added: “It’s unfortunate that Mr Holden’s transfer from A&E was a somewhat confused event.

“Had Mr Holden gone straight to the correct ward there would not have been as much of a delay before the blood results were seen and the significance recognised.

“But all credit goes to Dr Erekosima for correctly diagnosing the problem.”

Mr Holden, a machine operator for AstraZeneca, died on September 21, 2009, of sepsis and multiple organ failure caused by the dog bite.

Mr Rheinberg recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said: “It is bizarre to look at the intention of a dog, but I’m satisfied that Eric did not have any malicious intent.”