Ecuadorian Woman Knocks From Inside Coffin During Her Wake

Ecuadorian woman startles family members after she is heard knocking from inside a coffin during her wake
The retired nurse, identified as Bella Montoya, was declared dead after a potential stroke and cardiopulmonary arrest
The patient's family held her memorial service on June 9 but had to stop after they heard sounds from inside the coffin

An Ecuadorian woman declared dead by health officials frightened family members after she was heard knocking from inside her coffin during her wake.

The 76-year-old woman woke up five hours into her wake, a few days after doctors declared the retired nurse, Bella Montoya, dead following a suspected stroke and cardiopulmonary arrest. Ecuador's health ministry added that the patient did not respond to resuscitation efforts at the time.

Ecuadorian Woman Knocks on Coffin During Wake

The elderly woman's son, Gilberto Barbera, said that the incident frightened them but noted that his mother's condition was still dire. The family quickly returned the retired nurse to a hospital to be treated, as per Fox News.

Barbera said there were about 20 people at the wake of his mother and noted that five hours in, the coffin began to make sounds. They then found Montoya wrapped in sheets, hitting the coffin and breathing heavily.

He added that doctors are considering the possibility that the cardiorespiratory arrest resulted in his mother suffering catalepsy. This trance-like state makes a person's body rigid and less pain-sensitive. The condition is associated with several functions of the human body being affected, such as breathing slowing down.

Barbera added that his mother was on oxygen, and her heart was stable. He said that the doctor squeezed Montoya's hand, and she reacted to the sensation. Medical professionals said that this was a good sign because it meant that the patient was responding little by little.

The Ecuadorian Ministry of Public Health said a state investigation was underway to investigate Montoya's situation. According to CNN, officials noted that the retired nurse was admitted on Friday, where she was declared dead following a possible stroke.

Declared Dead After a Potential Stroke

Following the surprising development, Montoya was transferred to the Martin Icaza Hospital in Babahoyo for intensive care. It was the same hospital that helped her and declared her dead. There is no information regarding her current condition.

The health ministry is also working with the Health Services Quality Assurance Agency to form a national technical committee to "initiate a medical audit to establish responsibilities for the alleged confirmation of death."

Barbera noted that he visited his mother while she was in intensive care on Sunday, saying that he is little by little grasping what has happened. He added that he is now only praying for Montoya's health to improve, saying he wants her alive and by his side.

A similar incident occurred in December in the United States when an Iowa care facility mistakenly pronounced dead a 66-year-old resident. They transported her to a funeral home, where she woke up "gasping for air," said CBS News.