A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in a Nottinghamshire home where a mother and daughter were found dead—despite having called for an ambulance months earlier that never arrived.
In May of last year, authorities discovered the bodies of 47-year-old Alphonsine Djiako Leuga and her 18-year-old daughter, Loraine Choulla, at their residence.
An investigation revealed that Alphonsine had made a desperate 999 call requesting emergency medical help, but the ambulance was never dispatched.
This week, Nottingham Police, the Nottinghamshire Coroner’s Service, and the East Midlands Ambulance Service presented their findings in court, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding this tragic failure.
Detective Constable Jack Cook of Nottinghamshire Police revealed during the inquest that investigators now believe Alphonsine died shortly after placing the emergency call. The official inquiry began on July 21.
Loraine, Alphonsine’s 18-year-old daughter who had Down syndrome and learning disabilities and was completely dependent on her mother, is believed to have survived until February 28.
On February 2, Alphonsine’s urgent 999 call was answered, during which she provided her address and requested an ambulance before the connection was unexpectedly cut off. However, the call was mistakenly recorded as an “abandoned call,” leading to no emergency response being dispatched.
Detective Cook explained, “Loraine was left alone at the residence and remained alive until her device lost charge.”
Authorities report that Loraine passed away in April, shortly before her eighteenth birthday.
Alphonsine had been battling health issues including sickle cell anaemia. While the exact cause of Loraine’s death remains “unascertained,” it is believed she died from pneumonia of an uncertain origin.
Pathologist Dr. Stuart Hamilton, questioned during the hearing, was asked if hunger or dehydration could have contributed to Loraine’s death. He responded, “There is nothing in my findings to contradict that possibility.”
During the inquest, Susan Jevons, Chief of Patient Safety at East Midlands Ambulance Service, addressed why an ambulance was never dispatched. She explained that after the call was abruptly disconnected, the dispatcher made multiple attempts to reestablish contact with Alphonsine but was unsuccessful.
She explained, “The ambulance was not dispatched because the emergency medical adviser mistakenly classified the call as abandoned and subsequently closed it down.”
Jevons went on to offer a sincere apology for “all of the errors” made by the service.
“This should never have happened,” she emphasized, acknowledging the grave failure that led to no ambulance being sent.