A NOTTS woman who died from an asthma attack hours after arriving at a Turkish hotel could have been saved, an inquest heard.

Carolyn Birch, of Wyvern Close, Newthorpe, died after collapsing at Pasa Beach Hotel, in Marmaris, on May 11, 2009.

The inquest into her death at Nottingham Coroner's Court heard it took 55 minutes for emergency services to arrive.

Mrs Birch, 44, was due to spend two weeks at the resort with her husband, Martin, and another couple, but had breathing difficulties within an hour of arriving.

Mr Birch said: "I rang reception and said it was an emergency. As I put the phone down her breathing got worse.

"I rang the receptionist again and she said a doctor and ambulance had been called and were on their way."

The couple's friends came to the room and as Mrs Birch moved from the bathroom towards the bed, she collapsed in Mr Birch's arms.

He said: "It was clear she was in deep trouble."

Mr Birch said he then ran down to reception and again asked the receptionist to ring for an ambulance.

He said she began to panic and ran into the back office before returning with number written on a note, which she attempted to dial.

Mr Birch returned to his hotel room where he and his friend, a trained firefighter, performed CPR on Mrs Birch for around 20 minutes until emergency services arrived.

He said: "If the receptionist called when I asked her to, a doctor or paramedic would have arrived within minutes – especially as there was a medical centre across the road."

Mr Birch said his wife had mild asthma but had never had a serious attack. A post-mortem examination found it was most likely she had died of an acute asthma attack, with emphysema a possible contributory factor.

Consultant pathologist Dr Stephen Kaye said: "If emergency services had arrived before she became unconscious, it is probable she would have survived."

Recording a narrative verdict, Assistant Deputy Coroner for Notts Stephanie Haskey said: "Carolyn died as a result of an acute asthma attack and it is probable that had emergency medical services arrived before Carolyn lost consciousness, her death would have been avoided."

Miss Haskey said Thomas Cook, with whom the couple booked the holiday, had chosen not to attend the inquest.

Kathy Winter, from Thomas Cook, told the Post in a statement: "Our thoughts and sympathy are with Mrs Birch's family and friends."