A MAN believed by paramedics to be dead was later found breathing by undertakers.

The incident was one of more than 60 ‘Serious Untoward Incidents’ recorded by South Western Ambulance Service between 2007 and 2009 and obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

After undertakers discovered signs of life, paramedics were called back to the scene.

South Western Ambulance Service said such incidents formed “a small proportion” of incidents it attended.

The ambulance crew was called to the man’s property in November 2008 after police entered his home following reports he had not been seen for four days.

Paramedics found no palpable pulse or signs of respiration and left.

Police were left to contact the coroner and left before the undertakers arrived.

When undertakers tried to move him, they realised he was still breathing and called an ambulance.

Paramedics cannot certify death but can decide not to administer treatment if they believe that a patient is dead.

The crew did not administer treatment at first because of their original findings, said South Western Ambulance Service.

Other Serious Untoward Incidents recorded included the case of a patient with severe chest pains who died after being allowed to walk unaided up two flights of stairs.

Thirty-four incidents were blamed on human error including nine cases of wrong diagnosis.

And 23 were blamed on equipment failure, including the case of a doctor who found there were battery problems with equipment he planned to use on a cardiac arrest patient.