Diabetic woman from Wembley dies after ambulance lift breaks down outside hospital
Sophia Bhanji died outside the casualty unit at Northwick Park Hospital - Credit: Archant
Scores have paid tribute to a Wembley woman who died at the back of an ambulance after its tail lift malfunctioned outside the A&E department at Northwick Park Hospital.
Sophia Bhanji, 39, was taken to the hospital in Watford Road, Sudbury, because she was “feeling unwell” according to the London Ambulance service (LAS).
However, the ambulance crew were unable to transfer the trolley bed she had received treatment on into the casualty unit because of issues with the ambulance lift.
The crew, along with staff from the hospital, attempts to resuscitate her proved fruitless and Ms Bhanji passed away in the early hours of the morning on October 15.
Well wishers have taken to social media to offer their condolences following the tragic incident.
Ms Bhanji’s sister, Rehanna Bhanji, posted on her Facebook page on the day on the incident: “Early hours of this morning I lost a part of my heart and life Sophia Bhanjipassed away my big sister gone in heaven u r an angel I miss u so much.”
Twitter user, @janita_b said: “Your smile lit up an entire room. You were such a loving and caring person Soph. RIP @sophiabhanji X”.
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According to her Facebook page, Ms Bhanji, studied at John Kelly Girls School, now known as Crest Girls Academy, in Crest Road, Neasden, and Alperton Community School in Stanley Avenue, Alperton.
A spokesman for LAS told the Times an investigation into the incident is under way and the ambulance in question had been taken out of service.
He added: “We can confirm that we were called just after 2.50am on October 15 to reports of a woman feeling unwell at Farm Avenue, Wembley. We sent an ambulance crew to the scene and the patient was taken to Northwick Park Hospital as a priority.
“Our ambulance crew, along with staff from Northwick Park hospital, made every effort to resuscitate the patient but sadly she died.
“We are aware that there was an issue with the tail lift and we are looking into the circumstances of what happened.”
Did you know Ms Bhanji and would like to leave a tribute? Call the news team on 020 7433 0134 or email myron.jobson@archant.co.uk.
