A British woman who died while surgeons operated on her fractured femur reportedly visited hospital three times in "absolute agony" before doctors diagnosed her broken leg.

Key points: Ms Roche broke her leg while running in the Cardiff Half Marathon last October

Ms Roche broke her leg while running in the Cardiff Half Marathon last October On the day, she was told by ambulance volunteers it was a pulled hamstring, the inquest heard

On the day, she was told by ambulance volunteers it was a pulled hamstring, the inquest heard She died in the operating theatre nearly two weeks after the race

Sarah-Jayne Roche, 39, was running in the Cardiff Half Marathon last October when she stopped and complained of a shooting pain up her leg.

According to a report from the BBC, the mother of two was told by St John Ambulance volunteers she had pulled her hamstring muscle, but the pain was so bad she went to hospital.

Her husband, Steven Roche, told a coronial inquest his wife was told to "rest up" and take paracetamol and ibuprofen for the pain.

She returned the following day, October 7, and was given stronger painkillers.

Mr Roche said there was no discussion of taking an x-ray of his wife's leg and she was sent home.

A week later, on October 12, Ms Roche returned to hospital, where it was suggested she see a physiotherapist.

The Guardian reported Ms Roche's family noted her leg had swollen, while her foot was "freezing cold" to touch.

Mr Roche said his wife was taken to hospital again in "absolute agony" on October 16, when her leg was reportedly twice its usual size and afflicted by deep vein thrombosis.

Three days later, Ms Roche died while doctors operated on her leg.

An autopsy ruled her cause of death was pulmonary embolism with deep vein thrombosis and a fractured femur. The Guardian reported she had three blood clots — one in her heart.

The inquest is expected to continue for another day.