Dying man probe: Ambulancemen held

The two men, who are both employees of South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust, were sent to Barry Baker's home in Brighton, East Sussex, on November 29, after he called 999 saying he thought he was having a heart attack.

It is understood the 59-year-old, who lived alone, collapsed while on the phone to ambulance controllers.

However, the line to the control centre was still open when the crew arrived at the scene and operators allegedly heard the ambulance men make derogatory comments about the state of Mr Baker's house, The Daily Telegraph reported.

A police source told the newspaper the men were then overheard discussing Mr Baker and allegedly saying "words to the effect that he was not worth saving".

The pair, aged 35 and 44, were arrested on December 5 on suspicion of neglecting to perform a duty in a public office contrary to common law.

Both men have been suspended from their jobs and bailed until next month while a police investigation is carried out. No charges have yet been made.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Police investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a man at his home in Braybon Avenue in Brighton during the early hours of Saturday November 29 arrested two men on December 5.

"The men, aged 35 and 44 from the Brighton area, have been questioned concerning public office duty of care matters and bailed to a later date in January 2009. No charges have been brought.

"On Wednesday December 17 an inquest into the death of the man named as Barry Baker was opened by Her Majesty's Coroner for the City of Brighton and Hove and adjourned while police and coroner's investigations are pursued."