Mother-of-four who died inside Hull court building '˜could have survived'

Hayley Gascoigne, 32, from Scunthorpe, collapsed in the public area of Hull Combined Court Centre in January and was later pronounced dead.

A report into the incident found that the first paramedic on the scene did not “effectively manage the shockable cardiac arrest”, a pre-inquest review heard.

Hull Coroner Professor Paul Marks told the review that Miss Gascoigne died from hypertensive heart disease but he was concerned it was a “potentially survivable situation”.

He said a serious untoward incident report, carried out on behalf of Yorkshire Ambulance Service, found that the young mother “probably” had a shockable heart rhythm but that this was not addressed by the rapid response vehicle (RRV) paramedic.

Professor Marks said: “A variety of conclusions have been found (in the report).

“The root cause of this incident has been established as the RRV paramedic did not effectively manage the shockable cardiac arrest.”

He continued: “I’m slightly concerned that this is a natural cause of death which, in a sense, was unnatural. There was a natural cause of death but it came unnaturally because of lack of action.”

The coroner added: “I’m minded that this was a potentially survivable situation.

“Hayley was young. We know there was an omission to treat a shockable rhythm.”

Adjourning the hearing until the full inquest at a later date, Professor Marks said: “We need an expert view to determine if the shockable rhythm was treated she would have survived.”

The coroner said he was concerned that the stress of the court hearing Miss Gascoigne was involved in could have led to her “tragic death”.

Speaking at the time, the Recorder of Hull Judge Jeremy Richardson QC said Miss Gascoigne collapsed in the court building after the conclusion of the hearing and could not be resuscitated “despite valiant efforts by court officials and others”.

The judge said: “It appears a young woman, namely Miss Gascoigne, who was the mother of children who were the subject of family proceedings within a court in this building, collapsed in the public concourse in full view of everyone then present in that place.”

Friends of Miss Gascoigne posted Facebook tributes following her death.

One said: “She was a lovely, warm, kind person and this is just so tragic. Love n strength to all her family n friends.”

Another described her as a “truly beautiful lady inside and out”.

Following the hearing, the family’s lawyer, Nick Gray, of Williamsons Solicitors, said: “Hayley’s family and myself are reassured that the critical question as to whether Hayley would have survived with alternative emergency treatment is to be one of the main focuses of the forthcoming inquest.

“The knowledge that the circumstances around Hayley’s death will be properly examined will bring some comfort at this very distressing and difficult time.”