Probe into medic's 16-minute wait

A inquiry has been started after a paramedic waited 16 minutes outside the south London home of a man who had reportedly suffered a heart attack.

Roy Adams had been told by ambulance control to leave the front door to his Morden home open for the paramedic.

It is understood the paramedic who was on his own, thought a burglar might be inside the property and called for support.

Mr Adams's family have criticised the decision not to enter the property.

London Ambulance Service (LAS) said it was "speculation" as to whether Mr Adams could have been saved.

It said the paramedic carried out a risk assessment before entering the property.

"For one reason or another, and we don't know why yet, but the paramedic didn't feel safe so he requested back up," said an LAS spokesman.

"He maintained constant telephone contact with the control room before finally entering after 16 minutes."

The LAS investigation would examine all aspects of the incident, he said.