My wife, 39, called NHS 111 for ‘heartburn’ but died 80 mins later – I did CPR before police quizzed ME for four hours

A HUSBAND has told how he had to perform CPR on his wife for almost an hour while waiting for an ambulance to arrive as blood ‘poured out’ of her eyes, ears and mouth. When emergency services did arrive, Ben Roberts was questioned by police for four hours to rule out “foul play”, before having to wait another two hours with Michelle’s dead body until a coroner arrived. Michelle Roberts sadly passed away in October 2024 after having to wait 80 minutes for an ambulance to arrive Credit: SWNS Michelle, pictured with her husband Ben, called NHS 111 after experiencing a sudden heartburn sensation Credit: SWNS Michelle Roberts, 39, passed away in October 2024, after her husband, Ben – who had been preparing their children’s dinner – found her “slumped” and not breathing in the bedroom. Despite her husband performing CPR for almost an hour, the mum-of-five died from a heart attack. Michelle had been at home when she suddenly developed a heartburn sensation and a feeling in her throat. After calling Ben, 43, she phoned 111, explained her symptoms and was told that an ambulance would be sent out to her. Ben arrived home while Michelle was still on the phone and after preparing dinner for their children, he went back to check on his wife and was shocked to discover she was “slumped” and not breathing. The dad claims his wife was left waiting for 80 minutes in total before an ambulance arrived. By then, it was too late and Michelle was pronounced dead. Ben, from Bedfordshire, said he and his wife didn’t know how serious the situation was after she spoke to 111. He said: “We both didn’t know the seriousness of it at that point. “She told me to get a bag ready for her and she asked me to go and feed the kids as she hadn’t been able to get out of bed. “As I left the room, the last thing she said to me was, ‘Ben, I’m scared.’ “I came downstairs and left the front door open for the ambulance. NHS 111 told Michelle they had sent an ambulance, but after 30 minutes it hadn’t arrive and Ben found his wife not breathing Credit: SWNS Pictured with her five children, Ben started performing CPR on Michelle after being speaking to 999 Credit: SWNS “I started dinner and I spent about 25 to 30 minutes getting everything ready for them. “Whilst I was doing this, I was checking the door, and no one was arriving. “I went upstairs to tell her they hadn’t arrived and that’s when I found her slumped, not breathing. “I phoned 999 straight away and they told me to give her CPR.” He claimed 999 wouldn’t give him a time for when the ambulance would arrive. Ben continued CPR for nearly an hour whilst blood began to “pour out of her [Michelle’s] eyes, ears and mouth” as his children watched on in horror. Describing the awful situation, he said: “They’re crying and they know what’s going on now. “I did CPR for nearly an hour and finally a first responder turned up and he casually walked in – there was no urgency. “He took over and within about two or three minutes, four ambulances turned up, seven police officers, it was jam packed. “But it was far too late – it was nearly two hours.” From then, the dad said he took his children to the neighbours while he sat in the kitchen for another 30 minutes while the paramedics were upstairs. When they came down, they told him there had been a “catastrophic incident” and that Michelle had passed away. Ben said he performed CPR on Michelle for almost an hour before an ambulance arrived Credit: SWNS Ben said: “The police then held me downstairs for four hours to rule out foul play – they essentially said they had to rule out that I hadn’t killed her. “I had to give a statement over and over again – six times. “Police then left and the paramedics said to wait for the coroner – I had to wait on my own for two hours for the coroner with my wife dead in the bed.” The dad said his life has “gone downhill” since losing Michelle. He said: “I lost my £96,000-a-year job. I went back to work after two months, and social services got involved and they told me I had to quit my job as I wouldn’t be able to care for my kids. “I’m on universal credit now. I’m on my own with very little help. “I’m left with five children and social services won’t leave me alone even though I do my best. “With the little money I do get I’m using food banks to just about get enough food in the house. “I’m now not fit to work basically. I want to work, but I don’t think I can.” The dad has now appointed a solicitor to begin a claim against the NHS for the delays. Ben says his life has gone downhill since losing Michelle – he lost his job and is on Universal Credit Credit: SWNS 11 signs you might have heart disease AROUND 7.6million people in the UK live with heart and circulatory diseases. Are you one of them? If you notice any of the following symptoms, it is time to see a doctor. Chest pain Feeling sick Stomach pain or indigestion Feeling sweaty or clammy Leg pain Arm pain Jaw or back pain Choking sensation Swollen ankles Extreme fatigue Irregular heartbeat Source: British Heart Foundation An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “Our thoughts remain with Mr Roberts and his family following the death of his wife, Michelle, in October 2024. “We recognise that our response on that day fell below the standards patients and their families have a right to expect, and we have apologised to Mr Roberts for this. “Following a full review by our patient safety team, we have carefully considered the circumstances surrounding this incident and the lessons that can be learned. “At the time of the 999 call, the ambulance service was facing significant operational pressures, including delays in transferring patients at local hospitals. However, we recognise the impact that our delayed response had on Mr Roberts and his family. “We remain committed to learning from incidents such as this and to improving the care we provide. Since October 2024, we have continued to work with hospital partners to reduce handover delays and improved response times to the most serious emergencies.” The Sun has approached the ICB and the East of England Ambulance Service for comment.