Red-faced bank bosses have apologised to an elderly customer who survived a heart attack at a Dundee branch after they mistakenly announced that he was dead.
William Robertson was rushed to hospital when he collapsed in Santander in Reform Street on Wednesday afternoon.
The 78-year-old formerly from Lochee is still in intensive care at Ninewells but the bank’s regional director told colleagues in London that he had died.
Santander then swiftly issued a statement from its head office offering sympathies to the family of Mr Robertson.
A spokesman said at the time: “Santander can confirm a customer was taken ill in the Reform Street Branch in Dundee. He was taken to hospital, where he sadly died. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and those that knew him.”
The bank was closed for the rest of the day and staff who witnessed the incident were offered counselling.
Mr Robertson’s distressed son contacted The Courier, hoping to reassure relatives that his father is certainly not dead.
Alan Robertson said: “He had a massive heart attack. It took half an hour to resuscitate him, so he had half an hour with no oxygen to his brain. We don’t know if he’s going to pull through, but he is still alive.”
The family are said to be “extremely angry” at the bank’s mistake and have vowed to get in touch with the branch manager to complain.
“My mum is particularly upset,” Alan said. “We’ve had friends and family of the phone, wanting to know what’s happening. The phone has been going non-stop.”
Dundonian Mr Robertson, who now lives in Newport with his wife, has had heart problems in the past.
Alan said: “He had a heart attack about 15 years ago but he’s been keeping active since then and was doing well until this funny turn yesterday.
“We’re hoping he’ll be OK, but it’s not looking great.”
A spokesman for Santander offered his “deepest apologies” and said the bank is “arranging a gift for the customer to apologise”.
“Our senior leader in Scotland was told the customer had passed away,” he added.
The bank rushed out a fresh statement yesterday which said: “Santander apologises for any distress caused to our customer and his family by our statement yesterday. We wish our customer a full and speedy recovery.”