A LAWYER from Flintshire who overdosed on tablets may not have been saved if an ambulance wasn't delayed, an inquest heard. 

Ian Tait, aged 50, died at his home on Woodside Close in Ewloe on July 5, 2023. 

At County Hall in Ruthin on Friday (July 26), an inquest was held into Mr Tait's death. 

It heard that Mr Tait, who had a history of mental health issues which he'd received care and treatment for, called 999 during the early hours of July 5 after taking a "very high" number of anti-depressants. 

The call was first made at 1.08am, with Mr Tait telling the dispatcher that he'd taken the tablets within the last hour - and was now regretting having done so. 

The call was rated as an amber 1 response - which is deemed as life-threatening, but a level down from red whereby ambulances aim to arrive within eight minutes, 65 per cent of the time. 

At 3.35am and 3.37am, the dispatcher twice tried to call Mr Tait back - but was unable to reach him. After discussions among the clinical support team, the call was rated red. 

An ambulance then arrived at Mr Tait's property at 3.52am. Paramedics on scene saw Mr Tait lying on the floor in the property, and forced entry into it. Sadly, it became apparent that Mr Tait was already deceased and the death was confirmed at 4.05am. 

Gill Pleming, service manager at the Welsh Ambulance Services Trust, told the inquest that on the evening in question, ambulances were experiencing significant handover delays at the three main hospitals in North Wales. 

Ambulance were waiting roughly four hours outside Wrexham Maelor, and over eight hours at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. 

Prior to Mr Tait's call being categorised as red, there were six other amber one calls ahead of Mr Tait's in Flintshire and Wrexham. 

The inquest heard that Mr Tait, a lawyer by occupation, died as a combined result of severe ischemic heart disease and the overdose - with tablets taken at a range commonly associated with being fatal. 

The inquest heard that a hand-written note was found in Mr Tait's property, and he had long-standing low mood with suicidal thoughts - but that he had never revealed a plan to act on his thoughts. 

David Lewis, assistant coroner for North Wales East and Central, said in all likelihood, an overdose of that level meant Mr Tait wouldn't have been saved even if the ambulance had arrived earlier. 

He said there was insufficient evidence to suggest that Mr Tait meant to take his own life, and that it may have been a cry for help. 

Mr Lewis recorded a narrative conclusion, stating: "Ian Tait died as a result of the combined effect of heart disease and citalopram toxicity. The evidence does not reveal an intention for taking the overdose, or whether the earlier arrival of ambulance would have made a difference to the outcome."

Anyone struggling with their mental health can call Samaritans for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org