Weaknesses in the leadership, management, discipline and organisational structure of the London ambulance service may have been responsible for the behaviour of a crew that refused to take a dying man to hospital, according to an independent panel.

A preliminary report, made public at an LAS board meeting this week, says the emphasis on getting ambulances to the scene of an emergency quickly has obscured the need for high standards of discipline, clinical standards, responsible personal behaviour and internal communication.

The incident arose from a call to a stabbing in Lewisham. The crew failed to examine Simon Magalu properly and refused to take him to hospital. They were called a second time, but their vehicle broke down.

A second crew was called and took him to hospital, where he died.

LAS chief executive Michael Honey told the board this week: 'It is true to say that the service was stunned by the failure of one of their crews to do the job they were trained and equipped for.'

One of the crew resigned before disciplinary action was taken. The second was sacked.

A remedial action plan proposed by the panel has already been adopted by the board.