Olive Martin, 54, collapsed at her home in Darlington after suffering a seizure with paramedics taking her to a mortuary rather than A&E after declaring her dead
A grandmother declared dead by paramedics was later found very much alive in a hospital mortuary.
Olive Martin had been preparing toast in her home in Darlington when she suffered a seizure and collapsed to the ground. The 54-year-old was taken to Darlington Hospital Mortuary instead of the A&E after paramedics responded and declared her dead.
But staff were stunned to find Olive was alive after she arrived. An inquest at Crook Coroner’s Court heard the gran died from brain damage shortly afterward.
Tom Barclay Semple, who represented Olive’s family over the October 13, 2023 incident, told the hearing that two hours went by where she received “no treatment at all”.
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The Coroner said he did not know how long Olive had been starved of oxygen. Barclay Semple added: “We know that when Olive was found in her kitchen she had put toast in her toaster.
“That was the day when she was expected to go to work. If that was when she was having her seizure we can extrapolate from that.”
James Donnelly, representing the North East Ambulance Service, confirmed Olive was “observed in the mortuary to have some signs of life”.
John Gray, representing Durham Constabulary, told the inquest there was evidence of brain function in the mortuary, The Sun reported.
Andrew Hodge, Director of Paramedicine at North East Ambulance Service previously said: “As soon as we were made aware of this incident, we opened an investigation and contacted the patient’s family.
“We are deeply sorry for the distress that this has caused them. A full review of this incident is being undertaken and we are unable to comment any further at this stage. The colleagues involved are being supported appropriately.”
Olive’s family previously paid tribute to the beloved gran. They said: “Our Mam will always be remembered for her kind heart, her infectious personality and her positivity day in and day out.
“She was our warrior, and she will be deeply missed by every person she has ever met. We would request privacy at this difficult time.”
