A 58-year-old woman has died at a Norfolk hospital after undergoing tongue surgery while being treated for cancer.

Jean Allaway underwent elective surgery for squamous cell carcinoma at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital in Colney.

The quality assurance coordinator, of Douglas Close in Carlton Colville, near Lowestoft, had been “doing well” after the operation.

But she deteriorated suddenly and died at the hospital on November 26.

An inquest into her death was opened at Norfolk Coroner’s Court based at County Hall, Norwich, on December 5. 

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk Coroner's CourtNorfolk Coroner's Court (Image: Newsquest)

Samantha Goward, the area coroner, said: “Post operatively, she seemed to be doing well but then deteriorated. 

“Despite attempts to resuscitate Jean, she sadly passed away.” 

A pathologist gave the medical cause of death as pulmonary thromboembolism – a condition where a blood clot from another part of the body travels to the lungs and blocks an artery.

A full inquest to determine the official cause of death will take place at the court at 11am on June 25, 2024. 

Her brother, Jim Kirk, confirmed that Jean Melody Allaway was born on September 19, 1965, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in central Africa.

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