Paramedics 'did not spot heart attack'

A man who collapsed with chest pain while playing table tennis died after paramedics allegedly misdiagnosed a heart attack as a pulled muscle.

Lester Silva went to hospital by ambulance at normal speed and was made to wait in Accident and Emergency, then had a more severe attack. Doctors fought in vain to save him.

His family are considering taking legal action against London Ambulance Service and Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield for failing to recognise the seriousness of his condition.

His brother, Roger Silva, 39, said today: "They should have treated it as serious until they knew for certain it wasn't. Perhaps then he would still be alive." The computer studies student, 37, collapsed at his local sports centre in Enfield.

The London Ambulance Service said in a statement: "An investigat ion has been launched so it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this stage."

Nick Samuels, spokesman for Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust said: "Lester Silva received the full emergency response we can provide for a person in cardiac arrest. Tragically, despite the best efforts of the full A&E department and cardiac arrest team, it was not possible to revive him."