Paramedics Declare Gran Dead, But She’s Found Alive in Hospital Mortuary—Tragically Passes Away Hours Later

A WOMAN who was wrongly declared dead in her kitchen later was later found alive in a mortuary, an inquest heard.

Olive Martin was making toast in her home, where she lived with her husband Kevin, when she suffered a seizure and collapsed on October 13.

Paramedics took the 54-year-old to Darlington Hospital Mortuary rather than A&ECredit: Refer to source Olive Martin sadly died after suffering a seizure in her kitchen on October 13, 2023Credit: Durham Police

Emergency services responded but paramedics took the 54-year-old to Darlington Hospital Mortuary, instead of A&E.

Staff were shocked to discover Ms Martin was still alive when she arrived after the horror in 2023.

But the inquest, held at Crook Coroner’s , heard the grandmother tragically died from brain damage a short time later.

Tom Barclay Semple, representing Ms Martin’s family, told the hearing two hours went by during which she received “no treatment at all”.

The question was raised as to whether the 54-year-old would have died had she been transported to hospital.

Mr Barclay Semple told Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield: “What should that treatment have looked like?”

However the coroner said he did not know how long Ms Martin had been starved of oxygen.

Mr Barclay Semple continued: “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.”

Meanwhile, James Donnelly, representing the North East Ambulance Service, confirmed Ms Martin was “observed in the mortuary to have some signs of life”.

And John Gray, representing Durham Constabulary, told the inquest there had been evidence of brain function in the mortuary.

This included Ms Martin responding to stimuli verbally or by gripping.

But Durham Constabulary concluded at the time of Ms Martin’s death that there were no criminal charges.

Andrew Hodge, Director of Paramedicine at North East Ambulance Service, said previously: “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.”

Ms Martin’s family previously paid tribute and 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.”

A CQC spokesperson said at the time: “We are aware of this case and the ongoing inquest.

“We await the final coroner’s report which will be reviewed in full to determine whether further action may be required by CQC.

“Services provided by the trust are subject to ongoing monitoring and where we receive information to suggest any risk to patients, we will always follow it up to ensure people are receiving safe care.”

The inquest has been adjourned until 2pm on January 30.