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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Helen Carter

Man, 65, 'who was deemed fit to work' drops dead at Job Centre

A man has dropped dead at a Job Centre after earlier being reportedly declared fit for work.

The 65-year-old, who has not been identified, was waiting for an appointment in Llanelli, South Wales, reports the Metro.

He was found slumped in his chair at around 9.30am on Friday.

He had been waiting for an appointment to discuss Jobseekers' Allowance after previously being declared fit for work.

Job Centre staff and customers rushed to assist him, but they were unable to get a response from the dying man, so they instead placed him on the floor.

They began resuscitating the man and an ambulance was called, but he was sadly declared dead at the scene by paramedics.

The Department for Work and Pensions issued a statement following his death (PA)

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A witness told the Metro: "I didn't know him myself, but the man who was sat next to me told me that he had grown up with the guy.

"The man next to me told me that the poorly guy had diabetes and had been declared fit for work by the Job Centre earlier in the year, but he was obviously ill.

"The ambulance came, but he sadly died, and they had to take his body out of the Job Centre. It was awful."

He added: "It was a horrible situation, that should have never happened. The Job Centre is all shut down now."

Paramedics were unable to save the man (Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

A Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust spokesman said: "We were called on Friday November 15 at approximately 09:33am to reports of a person needing urgent medical attention on Stepney Street in central Llanelli.

"We responded with one rapid response vehicle, one specialised medical vehicle and an one emergency ambulance."

A Department for Work and Pensions said: "Our thoughts and those of the staff at Llanelli Job Centre are with the family and friends at the time."

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