Killer convicted of culpable homicide after pushing man in front of moving ambulance

A man has admitted killing a father after shoving him in front of a moving ambulance on the way to an emergency call.

Lewis Budge attacked Robert Bromell at the Corran Esplanade in Oban, Argyll and Bute, on September 6, 2023.

The pair had been with others, having left a pub in the town, when the 22-year-old kitchen porter pushed Mr Bromell towards the road.

The 39-year-old suffered fatal injuries after being hit by the ambulance.

Budge later lied that Mr Bromell had “stumbled” out in front of the emergency vehicle as they walked in the street.

He was caught after CCTV footage captured him laying hands on the victim moments before he was hit by the vehicle.

Budge had been due to stand trial accused of Mr Bromell’s murder but pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of culpable homicide at the High Court in Glasgow.

Budge had been on bail, but was remanded in custody pending sentencing next month.

The court heard men had each been out separately with others at the Markie Dans bar in Oban that night, and there were “mutual acquaintances” between the groups.

They all left when the pub closed at 1am and began to make their way towards the centre of town.

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

An ambulance was travelling to an emergency in nearby Dunollie with its blue lights on.

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

Mr McLean then explained: “As the ambulance approached, Budge deliberately pushed Mr 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.

Mr Bromell tried to break his fall, but ended up being hit on the head by the ambulance.

The paramedic driving had desperately tried to avoid him before the ambulance stopped, and the crew raced out to help.

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

He suffered multiple injuries and passed away that afternoon.

Mr McLean said Budge, also of Oban, was described as “pale white and shook up” after the incident.

However, he told a man Mr Bromell had “stumbled out in front of the ambulance” and later to others that he had “tripped over himself”.

The court heard it was initially thought that what happened was an accident, but the CCTV footage from the ambulance captured the victim being shoved instead. Budge was soon identified.

Defence advocate Mr McConnachie said the incident was a “truly tragic case”.

Lord Arthurson deferred sentencing for reports until next month.

He told Budge: “Having viewed the footage and heard the narrative (of facts), you can take it from me that a significant custodial sentence is inevitable.”

Mr Bromell had stayed with his sister on the Isle of Bute before he moved to Oban around two years before he passed away.

A GoFundMe page, at one stage, had raised £2,400 to help with funeral costs.