Couple married for 63 years die of coronavirus on same day after husband refused oxygen when wife died

A devoted husband suffering from Coronavirus refused treatment after the COVID-19 killed his wife of 63 years and then tragically died just hours after her.

When Bill Dartnall, 90, was told his 81-year-old wife Mary had died he refused to wear his oxygen mask.

The couple, from Southampton, Hants, had been together since the 1950s and passed away on the same day.

The couple in hospital on March 17, before ending up on the coronavirus ward. Credit: Solent News

After the heartbreaking double tragedy, their daughter said – Dad probably wouldn’t have wanted to live without mum.

“DOUBLE TRAGEDY”

Mrs Dartnall became unresponsive after falling ill and was taken to Southampton General Hospital England, where she tested positive for Coronavirus.

A few days later her husband, a retired chimney sweep of more than 40 years, suffered a stroke and was admitted to the same hospital, where he too was found to have the Coronavirus.



After appearing to improve, beekeeper Mrs Dartnall took a turn for the worse and died a few days after she was admitted.

Mr Dartnall refused further oxygen and died five hours later.

Their two daughters, retired geologist Rosemary, 62, and accountant Ann, 60, have been left devastated by the double blow.

Rosemary said – When he was told that mother had passed away he tried to pull the mask off his face and made it clear he didn’t want any more oxygen.

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Father refused to wear the mask, I don’t know why exactly but he didn’t want to carry on.

He continued to be cared for and passed away peacefully in his sleep a few hours later.



Father probably wouldn’t have wanted to live without mom. They were very much a pair and it’s hard to imagine either of them without the other.

According to NHS England patients have the right to decline treatment.

Its website says – If you refuse treatment, your decision must be respected, even if is thought that refusing treatment would result in your death.