SAS Vet Dies After Alleged ISIS Fume Poisoning

An SAS veteran and security consultant, Adam Dobby, aged 54, passed away on October 30 at John Radcliffe Hospital due to acute heart failure and lung collapse. His death follows a £200,000 lawsuit he filed in June against his former employers, alleging exposure to toxic fumes from ISIS oil well fires during his work in Iraq and Syria between 2015 and 2016.

Dobby claimed he was not provided with adequate personal protective equipment or training, leading to chronic inhalation of hazardous substances like sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide. This allegedly caused obliterative bronchiolitis, a severe lung disease requiring a transplant. His lawsuit asserted that his employers bore responsibility for his deteriorating health condition.

However, the broadcaster denied liability, arguing that Dobby worked in the same conditions as their news crews and that no respiratory risks were identified at the time. They also contended that a prior settlement agreement might preclude his claim. An inquest into his death was opened in December.