Widow’s plea for justice after ‘man was denied ambulance’

The family of a man who died after being refused an ambulance are being “denied justice and a proper apology”.

Barry Demby, 63, was twice refused the emergency service because his condition was not deemed “serious”.

His family’s GP surgery eventually arranged for him to go to hospital where surgeons operated when it was discovered the major blood vessel from his heart had ruptured and was bleeding into his stomach. He died three days later.

Anne Demby, 65, of Edgware, has been seeking an apology from the London Ambulance Service since her husband’s death in June 2009. She said: “I know that everyone dies, but it is the way that he died that is awful. I do not want compensation, I just want justice and a proper apology.

“We wouldn’t have called an ambulance if it wasn’t serious. It was horrible, he was crying, saying “please help me, please come for me” and no one came. His words haunt me, I will never get over it.”

She has tried to meet representatives of the LAS through mediators but it has refused to take part outside its own complaints procedure. A spokeswoman said: “We have previously offered our condolences and apologies to Mrs Demby.”