Heartbroken son finds ‘amazing’ mum dead in bed at home on her birthday after ambulance fails to turn up

An “amazing” mother died in bed at home while waiting for an ambulance that never arrived.

Cath Groom, 51, from Brisbane, Australia, called emergency services at around 10.30pm last Friday after suffering chest pains.

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The ambulance was due to arrive in 15 minutes, but an exhausted Ms Groom declined the request after waiting an hour and a half and decided to go to bed in the hope that her symptoms would subside.

Her teenage son tragically found her dead the following day – when she would have been 52.

Queensland Ambulance Service Commissioner Craig Emery said the service should have arrived at Cath’s home much earlier.

He told 9News: “Under these circumstances, of course we should have done better, we have launched a comprehensive review.”

“We should be able to respond to someone in that situation much more quickly.”

Chest pain can be a sign of a heart attack – which causes 100,000 hospital admissions in the UK each year, according to the British Heart Foundation.

The fatal medical emergency results from a sudden blockage of the heart’s blood supply, usually due to a blood clot.

Other symptoms include pain in other parts of the body, including the arms, jaw, and neck, lightheadedness, sweating, shortness of breath, and nausea.

The NHS recommends that you call 999 immediately and summon an ambulance if you suspect someone is having a heart attack.

Cath was found dead in her Forest Lake home at 9:28 a.m. Saturday, presumably of a heart attack.

Friends and family took to social media to pay tribute to the “amazing and sincere woman.” [who was] taken way too early.”

Her sister said, “Rest in peace sister, may you now be in peace with daddy and the love of your life and your husband.”

A friend wrote: “Cath, you are an amazing mother, wife and friend. Heaven is a greater place to have you.”

The Queensland Ambulance Service has launched an investigation into her death.

A spokesman said: “Firstly, Queensland Ambulance Service’s thoughts and condolences go out to the lady’s family and friends.

“The QAS was experiencing high demand for service at the time of the 000 calls.

“QAS is carrying out a comprehensive review of the clinical and operational aspects of this case, including reference to the coroner.”