Paramedics fail to help stroke victim 'because they thought she was drunk'

'We want answers. Why did we have to wait nine-and-a-half hours for Claire to be taken to hospital?'

Paramedics initially believed Claire Mozaffari was drunk and advised the family to leave her on the sofa until she sobered up (Getty Images )

The family of a woman who has been left in a coma after suffering a stroke are seeking “answers” after paramedics allegedly declined to take her to hospital because they thought she was drunk.

Claire Mozaffari collapsed at her home in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear after returning from a night out in Newcastle.

Her sister, Lorna Bell, rang for an ambulance and claims that the three paramedics who attended the 33-year-old mother of two said she was intoxicated and advised the family to leave her on the sofa to sober up, the Telegraph reports.

Ms Mozaffari was reportedly left without medical assistance for nine-and-a-half hours. When her condition failed to improve overnight Ms Bell range the emergency services the following morning and she was taken to Royal Victoria Hospital in Newcastle.

Ms Mozaffari underwent an emergency procedure to remove part of her skull, but has remained in a coma since the incident on 8 April. Doctors have warned she may remain in a coma indefinitely, The Times reports.

Ms Bell said: “We were taken into a room and asked if Claire would like to be in a vegetative state because that’s probably what she is going to be like.

“We want answers. Why did we have to wait nine-and-a-half hours for Claire to be taken to hospital?”

Her sister is currently caring for Ms Mozaffari’s 18-month-old daughter Soheila and her son Keiron, 13, is being cared for by his father.

A spokesman for North East Ambulance Service said: “We are sorry to hear about Claire’s condition. We have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident and will ensure to keep Claire’s family informed.”