COUPLE KILLED BY HEART ATTACKS; HUSBAND DIED AFTER CALLING 999 FOR HIS STRICKEN WIFE.Byline: DAN WARBURTON A DEVOTED husband was killed by a heart attack just minutes after his wife died of heart failure. Stewart Whitfield, 56, called 999 at around 10pm on Sunday after his wife Olga, 61, collapsed. But when an ambulance crew arrived they had to smash their way into the semi-detached property in Tracey Avenue, West Boldon, South Tyneside South Tyneside is a metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear in North East England. It is bordered by four other boroughs - Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead to the west, Sunderland in the south, and North Tyneside to the north. , and found the pair dead inside. It is believed Mr Whitfield, a pipe fitter, collapsed at his wife's side as he waited for help to arrive. Last night Mrs Whitfield's brother, Ivan Hay, who lives on nearby Don View, said: "We can't believe it. Everyone is heartbroken. "I've spoken to Stewart's brother and he's absolutely gutted. We are all devastated dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. - that goes without saying." Mrs Whitfield, a grandmother, had two daughters from a previous relationship, while her husband also had a daughter. Neighbour Doris Jenkins, 82, said: "I heard sirens outside just after 10pm and looked out to see what was going on. "There were two ambulances and a police car in the street. "There is a pane A rectangular area within an on-screen window that contains information for the user. A window may have many panes. See menu pane. of glass in the front door that has been smashed, which wasn't like that the day before. "I would imagine the police and paramedics had to smash it to get into the house. "They were a lovely couple and were both in good health for their age. She was retired and he worked away a lot." Another neighbour said: "It is very strange. They were both healthy and active. "If they went out locally, they would always walk to the shops. "For one to have a heart attack would be a bit strange, but for both of them on the same night is unbelievable. "We don't know exactly what has happened and maybe we will never know because the only two people who were there are now dead." The pair's tragic deaths have shocked the community. A 74-year-old man who lives nearby said: "I couldn't believe it when I found out. They've lived here for about five years and they were a lovely couple. "I know their next door neighbours will be gutted because it's a real tightknit community. Everyone looks out for each other and it's so sad that this has happened. "Everyone knew them, they were really well-thought of on the street." The coroner's office said a post mortem [Latin, After death.] Pertaining to matters occurring after death. A term generally applied to an autopsy or examination of a corpse in order to ascertain the cause of death or to the inquisition for that purpose by the Coroner . had been conducted, but that results were inconclusive. An inquest into the deaths will be opened tomorrow. The North East Ambulance Service The North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust is the authority responsible for providing NHS ambulance services in North East England, covering the counties of County Durham, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear and the boroughs of Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and said they could not give any further details. A spokesman for Northumbria Police Northumbria Police is the Home Office police force responsible for policing the areas of Northumberland and Tyne and Wear in England. The service is the sixth largest police constabulary in England or Wales. As of April 2005, the current Chief Constable is Mike Craik. confirmed that no third-party was involved and that the Whitfields both died from "medical reasons". He said: "Just after 10.12pm on Sunday police were called to Tracey Avenue, in West Boldon, following reports of concerns for the occupants. "The ambulance service also attended. A 61-year-old woman and a 56-yearold man were pronounced dead at the scene. A report is being prepared for the coroner." CAPTION(S): TRAGEDY: Stewart and Ogla Whitfield's house |
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