An investigation is being held into why the ambulance was sent

Ambulance staff turned up on the doorstep of Mary Greenwood, 71, of Throstle Mount, Luddenden Foot, West Yorkshire on Friday.

They said they had come to take her husband Walter to Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax.

Mrs Greenwood had to explain that her husband of 52 years had died from pneumonia at the hospital.

Investigation started

She said: "The man came into the house and he said he had come for my husband and I told him my husband had died six months ago.

"He didn't say anything, he just turned round and went away."

Before his death, Mr Greenwood had been picked up once every three months by ambulance for check-ups.

A spokeswoman for Calderdale Royal Hospital said they did not know how the mistake had been made but they were investigating.

She said: "We wish to apologise to the family for this regrettable incident.

"We do not understand how this happened as we have procedures in place to ensure incidents like this do not occur."