• Martin Clark, 68, began experiencing chest problems at his East Sussex home.
• His family called for ambulance 3 times before driving him to hospital in their car.
• NHS statistics show worsening in ambulance waiting times despite record demand.

The family of a guy who passed away after having a heart attack but no ambulance arrived has received an apology from ambulance managers.

Prior to any NHS strike action beginning, Martin Clark, 68, began experiencing chest problems on November 18 at his East Sussex home.

His family called for an ambulance three times before driving him to the hospital in their car after a 45-minute delay.

The father of five experienced cardiac arrest when they arrived and passed away despite receiving treatment.

His wife, Ann, said while waiting for an ambulance he had been crying out in pain and at one point wrote a note saying: “I don’t think I’m going to make it. Love you.”

It was excruciating, she said, adding: “He was let down very badly. They should have come.”

The case has come to light as a result of statistics released by NHS England that demonstrate a severe worsening in NHS waiting times despite record demand.

“Pressures on the NHS right now are intolerable – with patients paying the price,” said Louise Ansari, national director of the Healthwatch England patient group.

Downing Street said “people will be rightly concerned” by the waiting time figures.

The prime minister’s spokesman added the ambulance waits in particular were clearly “not acceptable” and tackling the problems was one of the government’s key priorities.

Ms. Clark admitted to wondering aloud on the media outlet what could have happened if an ambulance had arrived sooner.

Despite having high blood pressure, her husband was a “fit man.”

Ms. Clark admitted to wondering aloud on the media outlet what could have happened if an ambulance had arrived sooner.

Despite having high blood pressure, her husband was a “fit man.”

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