Woman dies after choking incident in Limerick city restaurant
AN ELDERLY woman dining at a Limerick restaurant died from asphyxiation caused from choking, her inquest heard.
The woman was out for a meal with her husband and a number of friends, said a garda who was notified of her death in University Hospital Limerick.
“She began coughing after the main course. It got worse and she started choking. An ambulance was called and the restaurant staff tried to help. She was brought to University Hospital Limerick. The doctor said they couldn’t save her, that her heart failed,” said the garda in his deposition to the coroner’s court.
Consultant Pathologist, Dr Teresa Laszlo said the cause of death was asphyxiation secondary to choking.
“There were no foreign materials in the airways,” said Dr Laszlo.
Her husband, who was in attendance at the inquest held in Kilmallock Court, wished to thank everyone involved in helping his wife on the evening in question and since then.
Limerick coroner John McNamara said it was very tragic.
“It started as a pleasant evening, out for a meal which ended in terrible circumstances. It is very tragic for you and the family,” said Mr McNamara, who recorded it as an accidental death as she died from a choking incident in a restaurant.
The husband said his wife had COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and had been in hospital for respiratory / breathing difficulties.
“May God rest her,” he said.
Mr McNamara expressed his condolences as did Inspector Gearoid Thompson on behalf of An Garda Siochana.
“It is never easy to lose a loved one but especially not suddenly like that. I’m sure you were together a long time,” said Insp Thompson.