'FREAK' CHAIN OF EVENTS LED TO ANTHRAX DEATH.

A "FREAK" chain of chance events led to the first death caused by anthrax inhalation in the UK for more than a century, a sheriff has ruled.

Sheriff Edward Bowen QC said artist Christopher "Pascal" Norris was simply "in the wrong place at the wrong time".

"It is not apparent what steps might have prevented the infection, nor what could be done to avoid a repeat," he added.

Mr Norris, of Stobs, near Hawick, in the Scottish Borders, died after becoming infected with anthrax spores from African drums.

The 50-year-old passed away in the intensive care unit at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in the early hours of July 8 2006. His death came just a few days after he attended a drumming workshop in Kelso, and a class in the nearby village of Smailholm, where he played anthrax-contaminated drums imported from Guinea.

It was the first recorded anthrax death in Britain for more than 30 years, and the first caused by breathing in anthrax spores for more than 100 years.

Sheriff Bowen QC found "no reasonable precautions" could have been taken to avoid Mr Norris's death.

The artist, who lived alone, had a history of illness, having suffered from leukaemia in the past. The effects of these health problems could have made him more susceptible to anthrax infection, although this was by no means certain, the sheriff said.

CAPTION(S):

SEALED OFF Black Lodge in the Scottish Borders, where anthrax victim Christopher 'Pascal' Norris, lived alone. The house was been sealed off by police as a precaution after Mr Norris's illness was detected.