Eight-year-old son rang 999 after Hartlepool mum suffered tragic fit

Kelly Duncan, a “loving, caring” mum-of-two, suffered the seizure at home on Friday, July 15.

Her eight-year-old son Alex calmly called 999 and also rang dad Paul Field to say “Mum’s not moving”.

Paul, Kelly’s beloved partner of 17 years, has spoken of the family’s loss and paid tribute to her.

Brave Alex quickly dialed 999 when his mum stopped breathing and medics battled in vain for 45 minutes to try to save her life.

Kelly had lived with epilepsy since she was diagnosed at 16 and had coped well with the condition over the years, but the fit proved fatal.

Devastated Paul, 38, said: “She was a loving, caring mum who couldn’t do enough for the kids or myself.

“I still can’t believe she’s gone – it feels like a dream. It seems surreal and I can’t get it into my head she’s gone.”

Kelly underwent an operation eight years ago which significantly reduced the amount of fits she had allowing Paul to work away from home more.

He said: “I was working away near Nottingham and Alex called me up at 6.10am on the Friday.

“He said Mum’s had a fit - Mum’s not moving. I said I’m driving home, you call 999 and get an ambulance.

“I got in touch with a friend and he went to see how the kids were and the police were already there.

“The police told me ‘they are working on her, they’ve been working on her for 45 minutes’.

“Once I got home, when the police were still there, I knew she was gone.

“I just broke down – I was heartbroken.”

Paul and Kelly had been together after meeting in Hartlepool’s Fifth Avenue nightclub in 1999.

Kelly feared she would never be able to have children, but her dream came true when son Alex, who she called her “angel” was born eight years ago.

He as followed four years later by a beautiful daughter, Masie.

Paul said Alex is helping him to get through the tragedy describing him as “a rock” despite his tender age.

“I’ve been feeling the worst first thing in the morning and last thing at night, as that’s the hardest part,” said Paul.

“But when I’ve broke down Alex will say ‘don’t worry dad we will get through it’ and he will just cuddle me.

“He just tells me to be brave.”

A fund to help pay for Kelly’s unexpected funeral, which will take place at Hartlepool Crematorium on Thursday, July 28, has been set up on the site gofundme and hopes to raise £5,000 towards the costs.

Due to Kelly’s epilepsy, life insurance would have cost more than their mortgage.

The fund has already raised almost £2,500 in just 10 days as generous donations pour in.

You can give at https://www.gofundme.com/2ec55rgk

For information and support for epilepsy visit www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/SUDEP or call the Epilepsy Society Helpline on 01494 601400.