Heavily pregnant mum-of-two from Purbrook dies after hitting head

An inquest into the death of Samantha Hopkins heard the 29-year-old suffered bleeding on the brain following the fall in October last year.

The inquest, held in Portsmouth, was told that during the resuscitation process by paramedics, Miss Hopkins was mistakenly treated as part of trial by South Central Ambulance Service.

The trial is a blind test looking at the affects of adrenaline on people in cardiac arrest.

During the hearing, Miss Hopkins’ partner Steven Collett said she was sleeping on the sofa due to her pregnancy. He said she found it more comfortable and on the day she died, had moved from the bed in their Purbrook home to the living room.

In the morning, their son found her and told Mr Collett that she was unresponsive.

The paramedics were called and Miss Hopkins was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital, in Cosham. But both she and the baby were unable to be resuscitated.

Pathologist Dr Adnan Al-Badri said Miss Hopkins died after suffering a subdural haematoma after falling.

Coroner David Horsley ruled the death an accident.

He told the family: ‘Samantha died due to an accident. A most tragic accident because it’s deprived you all of Samantha, particularly her children and of another child who also lost their life. I do feel so sorry for you all.’

The inquest heard Miss Hopkins was treated as part of Scas’ Paramedic 2 Trial, which is funded by the Department of Health and organised by the University of Warwick.

It is looking at the effects of adrenaline during a cardiac arrest and any long-term consequences administering it may have.

Patient exclusions include pregnant woman, under-16s and people with severe asthma.

But it was concluded by Mr Horsley that Miss Hopkins taking part in the trial did not affect the outcome of her care.

A spokesman from Scas said: ‘We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family of Samantha.

‘At yesterday’s inquest, the inclusion of Samantha within the trial during her treatment was recognised as not being a causative factor in her death.

‘Prior to the inquest, Scas had already made changes with regard to the information available to all front-line staff about the trial.

‘The trust will work with the University of Warwick to ensure that the recommendation of the coroner to make further changes to labelling the trial drug packs will be implemented as soon as possible.

‘This will further minimise the risk of such drugs being used on patients who should be excluded from the trial.’