AN ELDERLY woman collapsed and died from deep vein thrombosis after spending more than four hours on a coach.
Nora Jackson, 72, had travelled from Lincoln to London on a National Express coach in May when she was taken ill.
She collapsed as she alighted at Victoria bus station at the end of the four-hour, 20-minute journey, which included one rest stop.
Coach staff initially thought Mrs Jackson, a widow from Surrey, had fainted, and they called an ambulance. But she died a short time later at St Thomas' Hospital, Westminster. Tests revealed that she died from a pulmonary embolism, or DVT - a condition dubbed "economy- class syndrome" because of its association with long-haul flights.
Mrs Jackson's son, Edmond Jackson, 42, yesterday called for coach and bus companies to take the issue as seriously as airlines.
He said: "When you do the research it is frustrating because you can see how this silent killer can be defeated.
"If people were more aware, then it would reduce the risks."
Robert Ball, the health and safety manager for National Express, said the company had provided Mrs Jackson with a safety card warning of the dangers of DVT and that adequate breaks had been provided to allow for movement.
Mr Ball said: "As a travel company that provides long- distance coach services, we fully recognise our responsibility to inform people how to take steps to avoid the risk of deep vein thrombosis.
"The company provides a customer safety card showing a variety of exercises to do while seated. Also, rest breaks are provided on journeys giving customers the opportunity to get off the coach.
"It is important to stress that there is no greater risk travelling by coach than travelling by any other means - for example by car or train with the exception of air travel, which sees an increased risk due to the air pressure."
Mr Ball said that an investigation had revealed that Mrs Jackson had complained of feeling faint on the coach and had mentioned that she suffered from high blood pressure, which put her in a high-risk category.
"Our thoughts and condolences go out to Mrs Jackson's family and friends," Mr Ball added.
"It is strongly advised that people being immobile for long periods, [and] specifically those in high-risk groups, take advantage of breaks and do exercises while seated.
"As with all travel companies, the information we provide is supplementary to advice given in the public domain and by the individual's GP or health professionals."
