A woman who was declared dead by doctors was discovered alive at her own funeral in a shocking turn of events.
Last week, 76-year-old Bella Montoya from Ecuador was pronounced dead after being taken to Martin Icaza Hospital in Babahoyo by her son, as reported by BBC News.
Her son, Gilbert Rodolfo Balberan Montoya, revealed that she suffered from several heart conditions and hypertension. Three hours later he was told by doctors that his mom passed from a cardiorespiratory arrest caused by an unspecified cerebrovascular disease, according to the Associated Press.
The elderly woman was placed in a coffin and taken to a funeral parlor, where relatives were holding a vigil before her planned burial.
However, five hours later, relatives decided to open her coffin to change her clothes ahead of the funeral and found the woman gasping for air.
Describing the shocking moment he realized his mother was still alive, Gilbert said: "My mum started to move her left hand, to open her eyes, her mouth; she struggled to breathe."
He added that a medic told him at noon that his mother was dead, adding: "Another one saw me and he gave her oxygen, they intubated her and took her to an (ICU) room where she is under observation," per The Times.
A video of the harrowing incident was taken by a mourner and shared on social media. It showed Bella lying in an open coffin struggling to breathe, while another person complained that an ambulance they contacted had not arrived yet.
Moments later, firefighters arrived at the funeral, lifted Bella onto a stretcher, and drove her back to the hospital where she had been declared dead. Her son disclosed to Ecuadorean media that she was in intensive care, but was responsive.
"My mum is on oxygen, her heart is stable. The doctor pinched her hand and she reacted, they tell me that's good because it means she is reacting little by little," the son said.
Ecuador's health ministry's committee is now investigating the bizarre incident. Meanwhile, Bella's son is trying to piece together what led to the alarming conclusion that his mom passed.
Per Metro, he was quoted saying: "I am slowly coming to terms with what has happened. Now, I only ask for my mother’s health to improve. I want her to be alive and by my side."
