Distraught Darron Smith was powerless to help as he heard wife Anna slip away after suffering sudden heart condition
A heartbroken husband has told of the distress of hearing his wife die on the other end of the phone while he was stuck thousands of miles away on an Indonesian oil rig.
Offshore supervisor Darron Smith, 35, was helpless to act as tragic Anna slipped away in a Shetland hospital from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.
He was on the phone to Anna’s mum as medics battled in vain to save the 37-year-old mum-of-one.
Darron told the Sunday Mail: “I heard Carolyn, say "Is she gone?" and the medical team confirming it.
“It was distressing, but comforting to be there, albeit thousands of miles away at the end of the phone.”
"I take comfort in being with Anna in her last moments".
It took five flights and two days for Darron to finally make it back home after receiving the tragic news.
During that time he researched dealing with small children and grief, so he could help their four-year-old Ava, cope with the sudden loss.
The family believe Anna may have had a ruptured valve in her heart.
The previously healthy dental nurse and carer was being prepared to be moved to the mainland for specialist treatment, but died within hours of being admitted to hospital on January 23.
Darron said: “Anna became ill so quickly they had to put her into an induced coma to prepare her for surgery.
“Every hospital doctor on Shetland had been put on alert to assist if needed, but she deteriorated quickly, so quickly she didn’t make it to the operating table.
“One of the main doctors told me that it was the first time that he had seen this happen in more than 30 years in the job.”
The family have now set up a JustGiving page to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.
In just a few days generous people have donated in excess of an incredible £14,000.
Darron added: “I am struggling to find a path forward from losing a wonderful person.
“She was perfect in every way and the best mum Ava could ever have wished for.
“We want Anna’s death to be a reason to help others.”
Anna and Darron found love when he spotted her in a Lerwick car park back in 2003.
Darron said: “She looked gorgeous and I came up with an excuse to approach her and chat.
"My life changed from then because she was such a lovely, vibrant person who became a devoted wife and mum.”
To donate to Anna’s appeal, see justgiving.com/Darron-Smith .