Mother, 34, attacked by dog died after bite severed artery in arm

A mother-of-five died after a dog bite severed a main artery in her upper arm, an inquest has heard. Michelle Hempstead, 34, was attacked by the dog in Southend , Essex , on July 29 this year. An inquest into her death, which opened in Chelmsford on Thursday, was told police found her with a “laceration to her upper limb” the same day.

Court co-ordinator Andy Flack said that Ms Hempstead was taken to Southend Hospital for treatment, then later transferred to the Royal London Hospital, where she died on July 30. He said a post-mortem examination recorded that Ms Hempstead sustained a “dog bite wound to left upper arm”. Mr Flack said that transection of the left axillary artery – the main artery to the arm – was also a contributory cause to her death.

Multi-organ failure and hypovolemic shock – where a severe loss of blood or other fluids prevents the heart from pumping enough blood – were also given as contributory causes. Lincoln Brookes, senior coroner for Essex, said – after details of the case were outlined by Mr Flack – that he would suspend the hearing pending the outcome of a criminal investigation. “I’ve received a written request from Essex Police to suspend the coronial proceedings pending a criminal investigation,” said Mr Brookes.

“I accordingly grant that request.” He said he would review the suspension after three months, and asked that his “deepest condolences” are passed to the family. An online fundraising page, aiming to rais.