Mother dies after arm amputation as doctors dismiss blackened hand as ‘newspaper ink’

A 52-year-old Edinburgh mother, Lorraine Pettie, suffered rapid necrosis in her right hand after medical staff dismissed the darkening as bruising, or even newspaper ink. Despite urgent care visits, her condition worsened, leading to amputation. She later died from complications including heart disease and diabetes. Her family say earlier intervention might have saved her arm, highlighting failings in timely diagnosis.

Mother dies after arm amputation as doctors dismiss blackened hand as ‘newspaper ink’
A 52-year-old Edinburgh mother, Lorraine Pettie, suffered rapid necrosis in her right hand after medical staff dismissed the darkening as bruising, or even newspaper ink. Despite urgent care visits, her condition worsened, leading to amputation. She later died from complications including heart disease and diabetes. Her family say earlier intervention might have saved her arm, highlighting failings in timely diagnosis.