Father, 34, died ‘like a dog rolling around on the floor’ in front of his son in A&E waiting room after staff ‘did nothing’ when he suffered heart attack

A father who collapsed in an A&E waiting room was left to die ‘like a dog rolling around on the floor’ after suffering a heart attack, his family claim.

Thomas Casey, 34, endured ‘agonising’ pain at Broomfield Hospital in Essex on Friday as NHS staff allegedly failed to act.

The 34-year-old’s son, who is named after him, claimed he had warned hospital workers ‘you’re going to kill him’ as it was ‘obvious’ his father was suffering from a cardiovascular issue.

An investigation has been launched by NHS Mid and South Essex after Marie Goldman, MP for Chelmsford, wrote to the hospital demanding answers about the ‘deeply distressing’ incident.

Thomas Jr told the BBC: ‘[I will never forget] the gruesome sight of my father on the floor, blue in the face with white froth dripping from his mouth.

‘My father was in agonising, groaning pain in front of everybody.’

The 19-year-old said he asked for a screen to be put up in the hospital for his father’s dignity as he was a ‘very proud man’.

Thomas Casey (pictured), 34, endured ‘agonising’ pain at Broomfield Hospital in Essex on Friday as NHS staff allegedly failed to act 

Thomas Jr said: ‘[I will never forget] the gruesome sight of my father on the floor, blue in the face with white froth dripping from his mouth’

The bricklayer was born in Tottenham, north London, and had links to Billericay in Essex

‘They didn’t care about him. They left him like a dog rolling around on the floor. It was inhumane,’ Thomas Jr said.

Mr Casey had travelled to Basildon Hospital the day before the incident but went home – having been faced with a seven-hour-wait.

The bricklayer was born in Tottenham, north London, and had links to Billericay in Essex.

He was described by his son as a ‘mini humanitarian’ who was always helping others.

Thomas Jr has said he believes the hospital discriminated against him and his father because they were from the Traveller community.

He reflected on the ‘destruction’ wrought on his family, saying he ‘can’t believe’ his father is dead.

MP Ms Goldman said in her letter that people had written to her about the ‘tragedy’.

Mr Casey was described by his son as a ‘mini humanitarian’ who was always helping others

Urging the hospital to consider a formal investigation into Mr Casey’s death, she said: ‘Given the severity of this incident, there is understandable concern about what immediate action is being taken to protect patients.’ 

Christine Blanshard, chief medical officer at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘Our condolences go out to the patient’s family.

‘We will be investigating the care he received and inviting his family to meet with us and discuss their concerns.’