Father dies waiting two hours for an ambulance after a heart attack

Father tells his wife on the phone ‘I’m scared’ before dying after waiting two hours for an ambulance following a heart attack

• Michael Wright waited two hours for an ambulance at his Great Yarmouth home
• His wife said his death could have been prevented if he had been seen sooner 

A father tells his wife on the phone ‘I’m scared’ before dying after waiting two hours for an ambulance following a heart attack

Michael Wright, 33, passed away of a heart attack after waiting alone at home for nearly two hours for an ambulance. 

The father of four passed away despite being taken into hospital where professionals attempted to revive him. 

His grief-stricken wife Vicki, 31, was heartbroken at the loss of her husband and says it was ‘avoidable’ given the length of time he waited for help.

Michael Wright (pictured), 33, passed away of a heart attack after waiting alone at home for nearly two hours for an ambulance

The 31-year-old was devastated to hear her beloved husband’s final last words over the phone as he laid at home on his own after having suffered from a heart attack. 

The Express reported that Michael called 999 after having excruciating pains in his chest and vomiting at home in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

When he was eventually taken into hospital, medical tests revealed that he had a heart attack.  

Although he sought out instant medical support, he died that same evening in hospital. 

The former landscape gardener deteriorated as he ‘became scared’ during the one-hour-and-45-minute wait for paramedics on January 17.

Michael’s wide, Vicki (pictured left), 31, has been left heartbroken and believes his death could have been avoided if he had been taken to hospital sooner

Michael’s wife Vicki, 31, told the Express: ‘I am angry. I am really angry. It could have been prevented. It could have. It’s horrible.’

Vicki, who married Michael in 2018, spoke of how he had never had any previous health problems and was completely healthy. 

The widow also said that although she understands there is a current strain on the NHS, it is ‘not good enough’ to have left Michael on his own for so long, or alternatively they could have advised him to take a taxi to the hospital.  

She added: ‘I was out at the time but after he’d called for an ambulance, he called me to tell me he had this awful pain in his chest. 

‘He vomited while he was on the phone to me. He said he was becoming scared.’

East of England Ambulance Service apologised for the delay as industrial action happened from workers across various industries, including ambulance workers.

No strike action has been taken by staff at East of England Ambulance Service.

Vicki thinks that his death could have been avoided if paramedics arrived within the 18 minutes guideline time for the ‘Category 2’ call.

The retail assistant was out of the house with their children when Michael suddenly fell ill and said: ‘It definitely would have been avoided if the ambulance had arrived sooner.

‘This death was avoidable.’

She received a phone call to inform her that he had gone into cardiac arrest in the hospital, however, he had passed by the time she was able to rush to him. 

Staff at the hospital tried to save his life for 90 minutes before he died.   

In a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, Michael, she said: ‘Michael was lovely. He was very humorous. He had a very funny side to his character. He made me laugh.’

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We offer our sincere condolences to Mr Wright’s family and loved ones.

‘At the time of the call we were experiencing high levels of demand and our ability to respond to patients was significantly affected by handover delays at hospitals.

‘We are working hard to meet demand on our services by recruiting additional clinical staff, hiring more call handlers, and working closely with local hospitals to reduce handover delays so we can reach patients more quickly.’

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