A BRADFORD woman with severe learning difficulties suffered a fatal cardiac arrest after choking on her lunch and vomiting during a day trip from a care centre, an inquest heard.

Sarah Burnley, 47, of Creskeld Way, Allerton, died after eating a pre-prepared chili con carne ready meal during a day trip to the Anglers Country Park, Wintersett, Wakefield.

She was served the meal by Andrew Turasz, who was employed as a support worker by Home Farm Trusts (HFT), who were jointly responsible for her care, on the minibus they had travelled in, which was parked up in the Country Park's car park.

Mr Turasz fed her the chili con carne from a food flask using a spoon and said she had eaten the majority of the meal from her wheelchair at the back of the minibus.

He then went to the front of the minibus to get her a yoghurt for pudding.

But Miss Burnley coughed a couple of times, her lips turned blue and she suffered a cardiac arrest in the incident on March 18 this year.

She was released from her wheelchair's safety strapping and given CPR and chest compressions by service worker Sarah Malborough, PC Josh Hirst and paramedics.

Questioned by Bradford Coroner Martin Fleming, Mrs Malborough said: "I was ripping the straps off, leaning her forward and giving her back slaps.

"I thought she had choked on her vomit."

She then fell unconscious in the minibus but paramedics found circulation and she was taken to Pinderfields General Hospital in Wakefield, where she died on March 20.

She suffered from severe mental retardation, epilepsy since birth and impaired vision, Bradford Coroners Court heard yesterday.

Miss Burnley was also on a soft, moist and chopped diet for her food and suffered from continued drooling.

She had no previous reported episodes of choking on her food, the inquest heard.

Her medical cause of death was a hypoxic brain injury followed by a cardiac arrest secondary to aspiration food contents.

She was one of four people taken on the trip by Home Farm Trusts (HFT) minibus.

Her individual meal was reheated from frozen in a microwave and mashed up by a fork by Mr Turasz before they set out on the day trip.

Miss Burnley, who did not have any verbal communication, was cared for by both the Affinity Trust, based at Park View Court, Shipley, and HFT.

Dr Rajdeep Sandhu, consultant intensive care doctor, who treated Miss Burnley at Pinderfields General Hospital, said: "There was a significant brain injury caused by lack of blood supply and oxygen to the brain.

"Kidney beans and other items of food were found which caused an obstruction."

Miss Burnley enjoyed day trips out each Wednesday along with other care service users.

The hearing continues.