A CONSULTANT at Basildon Hospital said a couple who died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning showed “no signs” of the illness when they were treated.

Pamela Cox, 56 and her husband Leslie, 58, were found dead at their home in Bruce Grove, Wickford on Sunday after it is thought they were poisoned by a faulty coal fire.

Two days before their death Mr Cox was taken to Basildon Hospital by ambulance suffering dizziness and vomiting and whilst there his wife collapsed. Despite that neither was diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning.

Following two separate reviews of the couple’s treatment at the A&E department, Basildon Hospital has now confirmed that Mr Cox’s blood tests showed nothing untoward other than the ear infection he was diagnosed with.

The hospital also said that despite collapsing Mrs Cox declined medical treatment even though she was advised to register to see a doctor by hospital staff.

Dr Tayyab Haider, clinical director at Basildon Hospital, said: “This is a very sad case and our thoughts and sympathies are with this couple’s family.

“But, even if carbon monoxide poisoning does turn out to be the cause of their deaths, I believe Mr Cox’s treatment in A&E on Friday was appropriate.

“Unfortunately in this case there were no clues in the history that would raise suspicion of exposure to carbon monoxide.

“It is well documented that, because symptoms of mild carbon monoxide poisoning can be non-specific, vague and variable, it is very difficult to diagnosis.

“Doctors’ suspicions are raised if people from the same dwelling experience symptoms but, regrettably, Mrs Cox chose not to be seen by a doctor.”

Initially the couple’s sons Ian, 32, and 33-year-old Neil had raised concerns about their parents’ care, but now accept the hospital did all it could to treat the couple.

Neil Cox said: “When we first spoke about their deaths everything was still very raw.

“We don’t blame Basildon Hospital and we accept that carbon monoxide poisoning can be difficult to diagnose.

“All we want to do now is raise awareness and encourage people to buy carbon monoxide tests kits and have their appliances checked, we don’t want anyone else to go through this.”

Post mortem examinations carried out on the couple proved to be inconclusive. Police are now awaiting the results of further toxicology tests.