Mum choked to death on Cornish pasty in front of her horrified husband as desperate cafe staff battled to save her
A MUM tragically choked to death on a Cornish pasty in front of her horrified husband, an inquest heard.
Brenda Hill died suddenly on May 15 last summer after ordering the meal at a cafe in Trerulefoot, Cornwall.
The 78-year-old had gone out for lunch with her husband Bob.
She originally ordered a vegetable soup due to swallowing issues after a stroke.
But Brenda changed her choice at the last minute after being told the soup wasn’t ready.
At an inquest into her death, Assistant coroner Guy Davies told how a staff member rushed to administer the Heimlich manoeuvre but couldn’t get Brenda in the right position.
However, she was commended for performing CPR on the pensioner until emergency services arrived.
The Truro inquest heard Brenda had been told the pasty was hot before she started to choke.
The 78-year-old tried to dislodge some of the food tragically became unresponsive after falling to the floor.
The coroner said Brenda had several medical issues which contributed to this choking.
He concluded her death was accidental and praised the staff member who tried to help.
Brenda’s family wrote in a tribute: “Suddenly and tragically taken Wednesday 15th May 2024, aged 78 years. Former employee of Devonport Dockyard (ISM).
“Loving wife of Bob for 45 years, beloved Mum to Paul, Mother in Law to Giovanna, Sister to Terry, (George, Marjorie, Audrey, deceased) Loving Sister in Law, Aunty and Friend to all.
“No farewell words were spoken, No time to say goodbye, You were gone before we knew it, And only God can tell us why.”
The heartbroken husband also thanked Devon and Cornwall Police as well as the paramedics.