A pensioner bled to death during surgery because of a “spelling mistake”, an inquest has heard. 

Irmgard Cooper, 85, died on the operating table at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, north-west London, after blood intended for her was sent back due to the incorrect spelling of her name. 

An inquest at North London Coroner’s Court heard her name had been spelt as “Irngard” instead of Irmgard.

Ms Cooper – who is originally from Germany – had undergone an operation to repair a large bulge in the main artery to her heart when the mistake occurred. 

In addition, the surgeon had not been told there was no blood supply available until he had already started the operation. 

By the time replacement blood had been located, she had bled to death on the operating table. 

Ms Cooper’s daughter, Lorraine Booker, said her father, Raymond – who was married to Ms Cooper for 62 years – had suffered nightmares since her death. 

She told the Brent and Kilburn Times: “My father has suffered from nightmares over my mother’s death ever since. We just feel very let down and betrayed by the hospital for a death that should never have occurred.”