Coroner's blast over 999 call that ended in tragedy

A CORONER has slammed a delay that saw it take over eight hours for a police officer to attend at the house of a woman who was later found dead after a worried friend raised the alarm.

-  CHRIS SLATER

Angeline Phillips, 35, was found dead in bed at her home in Walkden, Salford, in the early hours of January 30, 2021, following an overdose.

An inquest into her death heard that just after 6pm the previous day a friend rang 999 and reported a concern for her welfare.

The Greater Manchester Police call handler categorised the call as a Grade 2 emergency, one below the most serious Grade 1 call. The force's own protocol requires an officer to attend a Grade 2 call within an hour.

It wasn't until 2.30am the following morning that an officer was first sent to the address, the inquest was told.

Police eventually gained entry to the property on Wilbraham Road just over an hour later when her body was discovered.