A MEDICAL student spotted a Burnley surgeon was about to remove the wrong kidney in a bungled operation but her warnings were ignored, a court has heard.

Victoria Fearne, 25, told Cardiff Crown Court she was watching Dr Mahesh Goel during the operation on Graham Reeves at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli,in January 2000.

Goel removed the wrong kidney and Mr Reeves died five weeks later.

Goel, 40, of Burnley General Hospital Bungalows, Burnley, and consultant John Robert, 60, from Swansea, both deny manslaughter.

Dr Fearne, who has since qualified but was a final year medical student at the time of the botched operation, said she was shown X-rays by Roberts.

She "worked out for herself" that the right kidney was diseased.

She said: "I interpreted that the left kidney was compensating for the failing kidney on the right.

"I referred him to my conclusion. But he told me I was wrong."

The court has heard how the surgeon cut out the healthy left kidney, leaving the diseased right organ behind.

Dr Fearne told the court her conclusion was based on information consultant urologist Roberts had given her while studying the X-rays.

She said: "He indicated which side he was talking about with his hands."

She explained that she was later in theatre when the alarm was raised.

Dr Fearne said: "Roberts asked: 'Did you take out the correct kidney?' I overhead Goel later say: 'I took out the one with the stone.'

She also told the court that she believed the X-rays were marked "left and right" -- contradicting what Roberts told police later.

Prosecutor Leighton Davies said: "Goel told her she had got it wrong. But she hadn't got it wrong at all."

The surgery was carried out by Goel under the supervision of senior surgeon Roberts.

(Proceeding)