Northern Ireland

Family speak about death of bride-to-be buried in wedding dress

 Lindsey Coulter
 Lindsey Coulter  Lindsey Coulter
By Suzanne McGonagle

THE family of a Co Tyrone woman who collapsed and died at the gym just months before her wedding have spoken about their loss in a bid to raise awareness of silent heart conditions.

Lindsey Coulter (27) from Fivemiletown died in April 2016, just six months before she was due to marry fiancé Brian Ellison.

It is believed she suffered from an unknown inherited heart condition.

Every month in Northern Ireland at least one young person dies from an undiagnosed heart condition.

British Heart Foundation NI (BHF NI) estimates around 17,500 people here are living with a faulty gene that puts them at high risk of a heart attack at a young age or sudden death.

Alison Little said her sister had everything to live for and was excitedly preparing for her wedding day.

"She was really excited about getting married to Brian and was going to the gym three or four times a week in preparation," she said.

"It was there at the gym that she collapsed on the cross-trainer and although they tried their best there was nothing anyone could do.

 Pictured at the cheque presentation (from right to left) are Lindsey’s parent Maurice and Heather Coulter, Gary Wilson fundraising manager at BHF NI, Lindsey’s fiancé Brian Ellison and sister Alison. 
 Pictured at the cheque presentation (from right to left) are Lindsey’s parent Maurice and Heather Coulter, Gary Wilson fundraising manager at BHF NI, Lindsey’s fiancé Brian Ellison and sister Alison.   Pictured at the cheque presentation (from right to left) are Lindsey’s parent Maurice and Heather Coulter, Gary Wilson fundraising manager at BHF NI, Lindsey’s fiancé Brian Ellison and sister Alison. 

"She had no health problems and her death was a massive shock to us all. She should be at the beginning of her married life right now so it’s still very hard for us all to take in."

The family raised £2,000 for BHF NI to go towards vital heart research.

"If we had known Lindsey had a heart condition maybe something could have been done to help her," said Ms Little.

"The not knowing is hard for us all.

"We know BHF funds research into the heart conditions that take away the lives of young people and want the money raised in her memory to help others."

Lindsey Coulter had been due to get married in October 2016
Lindsey Coulter had been due to get married in October 2016 Lindsey Coulter had been due to get married in October 2016

Jayne Murray from BHF NI said: "We need to fund more heart research so no family is deprived of their much loved daughter, sister, auntie and fiancé as Lindsey’s were.

"Thanks to the public’s kind support, BHF-funded researchers have made major discoveries in these frightening heart conditions but we urgently need to fund more research to better understand these heart conditions, make more discoveries, develop new treatments and save more lives."

For more information please visit www.bhf.org.uk/unexpected