New mum died on empty ward after she got lost in hospital
A NEW mother who died in hospital after collapsing on a disused ward is thought to have got lost after visiting her baby son.
Amanda Cox, 34, was missing for seven hours before she was found, still wearing her pyjamas and slippers.
She was pronounced dead shortly after being found at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Family friends said she had her son Murray last Thursday. He was born weighing only 3lb7oz after Mrs Cox developed pre- eclampsia, a serious blood pressure condition which affects some women in the latter stages of pregnancy.
Mrs Cox was reported missing around 3pm on Monday after failing to return to the maternity ward following a visit to her son at the neonatal unit. She was found at 10pm.
Police said they were treating the death as unexplained but not suspicious. 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.’
It is understood Mrs Cox gave birth to Murray at Borders General Hospital before both were transferred to Edinburgh.
Her husband Michael, 38, and the rest of her family in Peebles, in the Scottish Borders, are said to be devastated at the news.
Mrs Cox, a keen darts player, reached the final 32 in the Women’s World Masters in 2016.
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.’
A spokesman for Darts Scotland added: ‘So sad to hear the news that Amanda Cox has passed away. Condolences to her family from all at Darts Scotland.’
Police Scotland said: ‘We can confirm that missing woman Amanda Cox was discovered collapsed within the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary around 10pm and passed away a short 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 this time.’
‘She took a wrong turning’