THE family of an HGV driver who died 33 days after being admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties have heard medical staff initially believed he may have been suffering from having a fishbone stuck in his throat.

It emerged staff at Harrogate District Hospital had not diagnosed Tony Cartwright, 39, with acute epiglottitis, which is the when the flap of skin at the base of the tongue becomes inflamed or infected and the airways can be closed off.

A swollen epiglottis is regarded as a medical emergency as it can restrict the oxygen supply to the lungs.

At the opening of a two-day inquest at County Hall, Northallerton, coroner Michael Oakley apologised to Mr Cartwright’s wife, Debra, for "unacceptable delays" in holding the hearing, more than six years after his death on July 30, 2008.

Mrs Cartwright, of Terrington, Ryedale, North Yorkshire, said she had spoken to her husband on the afternoon of June 26, 2008, and he had complained of breathing problems.

Hours later fellow lorry driver John Palmer, who had parked for the night beside Mr Cartwright's lorry on a farm near Ripon, told the hearing he had called for an ambulance after being awoken by his colleague's coughing.

The inquest heard Mr Cartwright was taken to Harrogate District Hospital, where he was examined by doctors and his condition rapidly stabilised.

As it was believed he may have had a fishbone stuck in his throat or a virus, it was decided to transfer him to York Hospital.

Operating practitioner Mary Hellewell said she had had no concerns over the transfer as Mr Cartwright had been sat up, talking and joking minutes before being taken to an ambulance.

As his trolley was put in the vehicle, Mr Cartwright had reached for his oxygen mask and said he couldn't breathe.

Ms Hellewell said Mr Cartwright became unconscious and was rushed to the resuscitation room where a doctor found his airway blocked, before an emergency procedure was performed to restore the air to his lungs.

The hearing heard Mr Cartwright had suffered a traumatic brain injury and went on to have numerous fits whenever he was given nursing attention and died from bronchopneumonia as a result of the brain injury the following month.

The hospital has previously agreed a financial settlement with Mr Cartwright's family over failings surrounding his death.

The hearing continues.