Husband died after begging in vain for an ambulance

Barry Demby, 63, was twice refused an ambulance because his condition was not deemed "serious" enough, despite being in excruciating pain.

His family were so desperate they eventually called their GP surgery, which sent a doctor who arranged for him to be taken to hospital.

Surgeons discovered Mr Demby was suffering an aneurism where his aorta was bleeding into his stomach. They operated for 10 hours, but he died three days later.

Today his widow Anne, 63, described his treatment as "horrific" and demanded people be held accountable. Mrs Demby, who is partially disabled, said: "If they had got him to the hospital right away they might have been able to save his life. It is not good enough, and he is dead as a result."

Their ordeal began when Mr Demby, a retired pallbearer and former miller complained of searing pain in his back and stomach at 11.45pm.

His wife dialled 999 for an ambulance to be sent to their home in Edgware, Middlesex, but was told his condition was not serious enough. An hour later the pain was so severe Mr Demby rang himself. He was assessed on the phone but told no ambulance would be sent. His widow said: "He was not one to complain, but he called up later crying and begged them. They refused him." His wife then called their local GP surgery, who sent an emergency doctor. Mr Demby was finally taken to Barnet General Hospital at around 3.15am.

Following his death on 11 June, mother-of-three Mrs Demby, who had been married to Mr Demby for 38 years, complained to the London Ambulance Service.

Gary Bassett, head of patient experience, responded in a letter which read: "While Mr Demby's chance of survival would have been improved if he had been conveyed to hospital earlier, his clinical presentation did not indicate any life-threatening condition."

Mrs Demby said: "They are just making excuses. It was absolutely horrific. I want someone to be held accountable."

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We received a complaint from the family and responded. Since responding to Mrs Demby's original complaint, we are now in the process of arranging a meeting with her to discuss the findings of our investigation in more detail."