Notorious Kent Armed Robber Dies After Collapsing in Prison Shower
Wayne Cannon, a well-known armed robber from Kent, tragically died after collapsing in the showers at HMP Bullingdon, Oxfordshire. The Prisons & Probation Ombudsman’s report reveals the grim details behind his final moments.
Collapsed in Shower, Emergency Response Delayed
On July 8, 2022, Cannon collapsed in the communal shower area around 3:30 pm. Fellow inmates quickly alerted prison staff who attempted lifesaving measures, placing him in the recovery position. Despite CPR efforts by prison paramedics using a defibrillator, Cannon suffered a cardiac arrest.
The report exposes a critical 12-minute delay in the ambulance’s response. Emergency crews had to remove their smartwatches due to prison security rules, holding up their arrival. The ambulance finally left Bullingdon at 5:42 pm and reached John Radcliffe Hospital 52 minutes later with Cannon unrestrained but under escort.
Death Linked to Heart Issues and Emergency Delays
Cannon passed away six days later. An inquest on November 16 ruled his death was caused by hypoxic brain injury after cardiac arrest, a heart attack, and dilated cardiomyopathy. No post-mortem was conducted.
Dark Past and Prison Health Care Review
- Cannon’s criminal record included knifepoint robberies at a Margate fish and chip shop and a Boots pharmacy in Westgate-on-Sea in 2019.
- He was known for daily heroin use and suffered health problems like chest pain, high blood pressure, and COPD when admitted to Bullingdon in May 2022.
- The report confirms his prison healthcare met standards comparable to outside care.
- However, it calls for urgent revision of security procedures for emergency staff to prevent future deadly delays.
Wayne Cannon’s violent crimes and troubled lifestyle ended in a preventable tragedy behind bars, highlighting serious issues in prison emergency protocols.
