A 74-year-old mother has died in a tragic choking accident while enjoying a holiday meal with her husband in Spain, a coroner's court has heard.
A Fatal Meal in Peñíscola
Ceri Ball, described as the heart of her family, was dining with her 77-year-old husband, Glyn, in the coastal town of Peñíscola near Valencia. The couple, who had a home in Spain, had been abroad for several months and were due to return to the UK the following week.
Their evening out took a devastating turn when, within seconds of eating a piece of steak, Mrs Ball began to choke. Her daughter, Lisa Lisseman, 54, recounted the events, stating her father reported that Mrs Ball lost consciousness almost immediately.
Desperate Efforts to Save Her
Staff at the restaurant and fellow diners rushed to help, with a waiter performing first aid while an ambulance was called. Mrs Ball, from Rogerstone in Newport, was rushed to Comarcal de Vinaròs hospital.
Medical staff were able to dislodge the food and restart her heart approximately twenty minutes after the incident occurred on October 16. She was placed on life support to allow her daughters time to travel to Spain.
Sadly, her family did not make it in time. Her husband Glyn was informed that his wife had suffered catastrophic brain damage due to the lack of oxygen. He made the heartbreaking decision to say his final goodbyes, and Mrs Ball passed away on October 17.
A Heartfelt Family Tribute
Paying an emotional tribute, her daughter Lisa said: "Our beautiful mum, wife, grandmother [Gigi] died in the most tragic of circumstances. She was our matriarch, she was the queen, she was opinionated, but she cared about everyone. We are heartbroken."
She added that her mother was a selfless woman who was always the first to help others, often organising charity events and cooking for people in need.
An inquest into Mrs Ball's death was opened at Gwent Coroner's Court by coroner Rose Farmer. A provisional post-mortem examination report indicated the cause of death was asphyxiation, obstruction, and choking.
The inquest has been adjourned until July 23, 2026, pending a full post-mortem examination.
