Inquest: Woman died after collapse at Whinfell Forest Center Parcs

Paula Wick, 58, collapsed during a family break at the Whinfell Forest site near Penrith on December 14 last year.

An inquest held at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court heard Miss Wick, of Sunderland, was a ‘happy’, ‘active’ and ‘social’ person who loved going to the theatre. She loved most sports, especially football. She had downs syndrome and learning difficulties.

In December last year, Miss Wick was on holiday at Center Parcs and was ‘very happy’. She had been taking the medication she was prescribed.

Miss Wick had gone to a restaurant for dinner with family and was walking back to the lodge when she experienced shortness of breath. She cried out, "My legs", and then collapsed. She was unresponsive and CPR was started.

The coroner praised bystanders and Center Parcs staff, who ‘did all they could’ and responded with ‘incredible speed’. An ambulance arrived and Miss Wick was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle but could not be saved.

A toxicology report revealed Miss Wick had prescribed olanzapine in her system. The antipsychotic medication can cause cardiac arrhythmia and has been associated with fatalities, the inquest heard.

A pathologist gave the cause of death as olanzapine overdose. But Robert Cohen, assistant coroner for Cumbria, ruled it was not possible to say that Miss Wick had taken too much of olanzapine.

He said Miss Wick’s medication was kept locked and was issued in blister packs in the correct dosage. It was given to her by her sister.

Mr Cohen gave the cause of death as cardiac arrhythmia caused by prescribed olanzapine ingestion.

He gave a narrative conclusion, which said: “Paula Wick was on holiday in Cumbria in December 2023. She became unwell and became unresponsive. She was in cardiac arrest.

“She was transported to the Cumberland Infirmary where her death was confirmed.

“She was taking prescribed olanzapine. It’s more likely than not, this caused an arrhythmia which led to her death.”