AN investigation is under way after a 74-year-old former Newcastle man was left to die on a hospital trolley after waiting almost nine hours for treatment.

Burns victim Thomas Rogers died alone and his family claim he was in agony after being ignored by staff.

It was only discovered that he was dead when a nurse went to move the trolley.

Management at Whipps Cross Hospital, Leytonstone, East London, pledged to hold an inquiry.

But Mr Rogers' son Les, 48, said: "This is absolutely scandalous. No one can imagine our anger and astonishment that such an incident has been allowed to take place."

Mr Rogers, of Woodford Green, Essex, was taken to hospital by ambulance after collapsing at home.

The engineer from Newcastle, who moved south to find work 20 years ago, had fallen unconscious against a radiator, badly burning his arm, and had lain for some time before he was discovered by a warden at the sheltered accommodation unit.

Les Rogers, of Fenham, Newcastle, said: "It is absolutely disgraceful and sickening and we want something done about it."

A spokesman for Whipps Cross Hospital said an investigation was under way.

He said: "During the evening he was checked on a number of occasions by nursing staff who found his condition to be stable.

"At no stage was there any indication that his condition was life-threatening.

"The hospital has informed the coroner of the events surrounding Mr Rogers' time at the hospital. The Trust has also opened an internal inquiry into these events."