New mum dies after being ‘lost’ in hospital for 7 hours
A NEW mother has died in hospital after she reportedly became lost and collapsed as she returned to her ward from seeing her prematurelyborn son.
A search was launched after Amanda Cox, 34, was reported missing from Edinburgh Royal Infirmary around 3pm on Monday.
She was found within the hospital seven hours later and died soon after.
Mrs Cox and husband Michael, 38, had welcomed their 3lb 7oz son Murray into the world four days earlier.
She was found in a rarely used stairwell having suffered a suspected brain haemorrhage, according to reports. It is thought she may have taken a wrong turn while returning from the neonatal unit downstairs.
The keen darts player, who in 2016 reached the final 32 in the Women’s World Masters, was pronounced dead shortly after being found.
Murray was born prematurely last Thursday after Mrs Cox developed pre-eclampsia — the serious blood pressure condition that affects some women in the latter stages of pregnancy.
Headaches
It is understood she had been suffering from headaches and was due to see a specialist at the hospital.
Mrs Cox’s family in Peebles were unavailable for comment yesterday about her death.
They were said to be devastated and trying to establish exactly what had happened.
A family friend said: “Amanda had been suffering headaches even before she had been in hospital for the birth and was due to see a specialist.
“Apparently she was going back to her room for medication but took a wrong turning and came out of the neonatal ward into a disused ward.
“They think it was a brain haemorrhage or a stroke or heart attack but we will just have to wait on the post-mortem.”
The friend added: “She just had baby Murray last Thursday as a result of having pre-eclampsia.”
In a statement, police said: “We can confirm that missing woman Amanda Cox was discovered collapsed within the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary around 10pm on Monday December 10. She sadly time later.
“The death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious, and a report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with Amanda’s family and friends at passed away
ashort this time.” NHS Lothian deputy chief executive Jim Crombie said: “My thoughts and sympathies are with the family of Amanda Cox at this sad time.
“A police investigation is ongoing and we are assisting with their inquiries.” Former Women’s World Masters champion Deta Hedman posted on social media: “Stunned to hear of the passing away of Amanda Cox so young, had many a battle on the oche over the years, my and Paul’s condolences to the family. RIP Amanda.”