Nursing assistant who called ambulance several times was later found to have taken her own life, inquest hears
Carrow House, which is the new home of Norfolk Coroner's Court. Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
A woman who was found dead after calling for an ambulance several times was found to have take her own life, an inquest heard.
Louise Buck, a 21-year-old nursing assistant from Hawthorn Close, Wymondham, was found hanging in a hotel room in Prince of Wales, Norwich at around 5.30am on September 10 last year.
Ms Buck's mother said she did not suspect anything untoward when she dropped off her daughter at the hotel on September 9 ahead of a staff party.
However, she was later found to have recorded a video on her phone revealing her plans to take her life at the end of the party.
Over the course of the night, Ms Buck made several calls to the ambulance service and the non-emergency medical helpline 111.
During her first call, she said she was feeling suicidal but did not want an ambulance.
She called 111 again and said she had cut her arm and leg. She was transferred to the accident and emergency phone line.
Most Read
- 1 EXCLUSIVE: US tycoons in Norwich City investment talks
- 2 Man claims supermarket fuel was contaminated as he reveals £200 repair bill
- 3 M&S to close 32 stores as part of move away from town centres
- 4 Scammers targeting Norfolk homes with fake parcel deliveries
- 5 Where you can see the Red Arrows over Norfolk this weekend
- 6 Broads Authority moves to prosecute pub over caravans - again
- 7 Norwich pub selling out on Sundays with new head chef's roast dinners
- 8 Revealed: Your favourite fish and chip shop in Norfolk
- 9 Heavy delays on major Norfolk road after crash
- 10 'Our homes will be destroyed' - Neighbours' fears over proposed pylon route
Ms Buck later called back to cancel the ambulance arranged in the previous call. She was told this was not possible but was not deemed to be at crisis level.
In a further call, Ms Buck said she had cut herself and was considering suicide. Ms Buck then called back at 4am to cancel the ambulance and called again at 4.15am.
Paramedics found Ms Buck hanging when they arrived at around 5.30am. She was declared dead at the scene.
Senior coroner Jacqueline Lake concluded the death was caused by suicide.
Mrs Lake has not ordered a report into the East of England Ambulance Service Trust.
However, she has asked that they update her and the Buck family on the progress of proposed changes to the service by June 15.
Plans include the improvement of liaison with police and mental health services and the trialling of a mental health practitioner in the police control room.
Marcus Bailey, consultant paramedic and EEAST deputy clinical director, said: 'We offer our sincere condolences to Louise's family and friends.
'The trust has identified areas of learning and is working with other organisations to explore opportunities to improve the service to patients.'
• The Samaritans operate a 24-hour phone service for people dealing with suicidal thoughts on 116 123
