Grandmother, 74, suffered fatal allergic reaction after attack by wasps

Janette Duncan, 74, was walking with her husband, George, when they were attacked by the insects after a nest was disturbed by a neighbour gardening near the pavement in Galleywood, Essex.

Initially, Mr Duncan, also 74, a retired professional footballer who was suffering from a brain tumour, collapsed on a grass verge while his wife rushed for help.

But as passers-by came to assist, Mrs Duncan also collapsed.

The couple were rushed to the Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, where Mrs Duncan died from cardiorespiratory failure.

At an inquest in Chelmsford yesterday, the Duncans’ daughter, Amanda Moore, said: “Because of Dad’s brain tumour, my mum was more concerned for him and unselfishly went for help.

“Passers-by did everything they could to help and the ambulance and helicopter arrived very quickly. There was nothing more anybody could have done.”

The couple were on their way from their home in the village to the Galleywood Social Club when the tragedy unfolded at around 1pm on August 14.

Coroner Caroline Beasley Murray recorded a verdict of accidental death.

She said: “This was a sudden and unexpected death. It was a tragic death of woman who was much loved.”

Outside the hearing, mother-of-two Mrs Moore said the wasps had attacked Mrs Duncan’s face, leaving her with numerous stings.

She added: “I hope people realise how serious wasp attacks can be.

“People who are near wasps’ nests or are aware of one on their property should be extremely careful.

“There is no way of knowing how you will react – if you have had one or two wasp stings before, you could still react badly if attacked by a swarm like this.

“Mum was my best friend, she enjoyed life and was football-mad.”

Mr Duncan was unable to attend the inquest because he is bedridden due to an unrelated condition.

The couple were both born in Glasgow and married in the city in 1960.

Mr Duncan is an ex-professional footballer who played for Glasgow Rangers from 1957 to 1960 before moving to Southend United.