Amber Fountain, a 24-year-old aspiring lawyer, suffered a cardiac arrest on the motorway while returning from a Birmingham event in 2019 and died seven years later after her life support was withdrawn, an inquest has heard. She was 31 when she died in November 2025 at The Rowans Hospice.
Cardiac arrest on the M27
Amber, who was on her way home from a Bear Grylls adventure experience in Birmingham, went into cardiac arrest on February 16, 2019, while she was with a friend. The unexplained arrest occurred on the M27 and led to brain damage.
Following the incident, Amber spent time in hospital and a care home before being transferred to Holy Cross in Haslemere, Surrey, in June 2020. After five years of what was described as “excellent care”, her family made the decision to stop treatment.
Inquest hears of family's love
Christopher Wilkinson, senior coroner for Hampshire, told the family that the decision to end Amber’s care at Holy Cross “was ultimately the right one”. The inquest heard that her partner of more than a decade, Daryl Thompson, loved her “so much” and recalled her “infectious” laugh and wonderful smile.
Amber was described as “full of life and excitement” about planning their life together, with her parents calling her a “vibrant and strong daughter.”
Cause of the heart attack
While the cause of the cardiac arrest was never fully established, a prolonged QT period – an abnormal delay in the heart’s electrical recharge – may have played a part. Mr Wilkinson recorded a verdict of death by natural causes before highlighting the “tenacity, love and kindness” shown by Amber’s loved ones.
He said: “I can only begin to imagine how difficult it was – I would like to express my sincerest condolences to you all.”
