Man admits killing victim by pushing him in front of ambulance on 999 call

A 22-year-old man has admitted killing a man by pushing him in front of an ambulance which was rushing to an emergency call.

Lewis Budge attacked Robert Bromell, 39, on the Corran Esplanade in Oban, Argyll and Bute, in September 2023.

The pair had left a pub with others not long before the incident. Bromell suffered fatal injuries after the ambulance hit him on the head.

Budge was due to stand trial accused of murder at the High Court in Glasgow, but he pled guilty to the reduced charge of homicide.

He had initially lied and said Bromell "stumbled" out in front of the emergency vehicle, but CCTV footage showed him pushing the victim.

Lord Arthurson warned Budge to expect a "significant custodial sentence" when he is sentenced next month.

The men had each been out separately with others at the Markie Dans bar in Oban on the night of the attack.

The court heard there were "mutual acquaintances" between the groups.

They all left the pub when it closed at 01:00 and began to make their way towards the town centre.

Prosecutor David McLean KC said Budge and Bromell were seen chatting to each other at one point.

Meanwhile, an ambulance was travelling to an emergency in Dunollie, north of the town, with its blue lights on.

The hearing was told that a parked pop-top caravan meant the two men could not see what was on the road as they walked along part of the esplanade.

McLean said: "As the ambulance approached, Budge deliberately pushed Bromell on the top half of the front of his body using two hands.

"It had sufficient force to cause him to lose balance. Budge gave no thought to the surrounding circumstances."

Slowed-down footage of the incident was played in court.

It showed Bromell trying to break his fall, but ending up being hit on the head by the ambulance.

The paramedic driving the vehicle tried to avoid him as he fell, then the ambulance stopped and the crew immediately raced out to help.

Bromell was initially rushed to hospital in Oban and then transferred to the Royal Alexandra in Paisley.

He had suffered multiple injuries and died that afternoon.

McLean said Budge was described as "pale white and shook up" after the incident.

He told a man that Bromell had "stumbled out in front of the ambulance" and later told others that he had "tripped over himself".

Defence advocate Brian McConnachie KC said the incident was a "truly tragic case".

Bromell had stayed with his sister on the Isle of Bute before he moved to Oban about two years before he died.

He was known as Hogan by his family and friends.

In a statement after his death, his family said he would be remembered for his "cheeky smile and funny character".

They added: "It is a devastating loss and he will be missed by everyone that knew him."

Budge, who was previously convicted of domestic abuse, had been on bail but was remanded in custody pending sentencing next month.