Coroner warns of ambulance delay risk after two deaths

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 10 Nov, 11:29 · Archive

A coroner has warned of risk to further deaths after two elderly women in North Wales died following ambulance delays of 17 to 24 hours.

A coroner has raised concerns about ambulance delays in North Wales following the deaths of two elderly women who fell at home and waited hours for emergency help to arrive. Emergency services took between 17 and 24 hours from the original 999 calls to reach the properties in separate incidents that occurred last year. The coroner has sent reports to the chief executive of the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust (WAST) warning there is a risk of further deaths if no action is taken.

Janet Mary Nixon, 67, fell at home around midday on 21 October 2025. The 999 caller was told no resources were available and given an estimated arrival time of three hours. Further calls were made at around 9pm and 4am the following day, but no ambulance attended. Help finally arrived at 5.15am on 22 October, more than 17 hours after the first call. Mrs Nixon died on 30 October from her injuries, with an inquest in July 2026 ruling her death accidental.

Dorothy Esther Evans, 88, fell at a residential care home on new year's eve 2025. Despite being found injured by carers, she remained on the floor until the following morning. Emergency services were called around 9am on 3 January, but no ambulance was available until around the same time the next day. Mrs Evans died on 9 January at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan. The coroner listed causes as blockages in an artery in the lung, a break in the upper thigh bone, frailty and dementia. An inquest ruled her death accidental.

How it is being reported

• Two women died after waiting hours for help. An urgent warning has now been issuedEmergency services took between 17 and 24 hours from the original 999 calls to arrive at the properties in separate incidents in North Wales last yearNorth Wales Live · 10 Nov, 11:11
• Coroner raises alarm over ambulance delays after deaths of elderly North Wales womenEmergency services took between 17 and 24 hours from the original 999 calls to arrive at the properties in separate incidents that happened in North Wales.North Wales Pioneer · 10 Nov, 10:49
• Coroner raises alarm over ambulance delays after deaths of elderly North Wales womenEmergency services took between 17 and 24 hours from the original 999 calls to arrive at the properties in separate incidents that happened in North Wales.North Wales Chronicle · 10 Nov, 10:49

In this story: Janet Mary Nixon · Dorothy Esther Evans · Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust · North Wales · Wellfield Care Home · Hawarden · Bodelwyddan

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