Daily Mail

OAP died after 5hr ambulance wait

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AN 86-year-old woman died after waiting five-and-a-half hours in agony for an ambulance after fracturing her leg and ankle, an inquest heard.

Madeline Staples, who suffered from osteoporos­is and lung cancer, fell in her room at her care home in Wrexham at 10.05pm on April 6. Staff called 999 and explained she was in terrible pain but the inquest heard there were no ambulances available to respond.

A paramedic eventually arrived at 3.40am and called for back up which didn’t arrive for almost another hour. Mrs Staples was taken to hospital but died two days later. The cause of death was given as bronchial pneumonia due to fractures.

Recording a conclusion of accidental death, John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, said he could not say that the delay had played a part in Mrs Staples’ death. However, he warned that unacceptab­le ambulance delays were becoming the norm.

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