Tragic Holiday Meal Ends in Grandmother's Death
A 74-year-old grandmother from Wales choked to death on steak while enjoying a holiday meal in Spain, just days before she was due to return home, an inquest has heard.
Ceri Ball, described by her family as their "matriarch" and "queen", suffered the fatal incident while dining with her husband Glyn, 77, in the coastal town of Peñíscola near Valencia.
Seconds to Tragedy
The couple had been enjoying what should have been a pleasant evening out when Ceri ordered a steak. According to her daughter Lisa Lisseman, 54, the tragedy unfolded within moments.
"Mum took a mouthful and it got stuck in her throat," Lisa told the hearing. "Dad said she was unconscious in seconds and everyone tried to help her. The waiter tried to help her, and someone phoned an ambulance."
Ceri was rushed to Comarcal de Vinaròs hospital where doctors desperately worked to save her. Medical staff managed to dislodge the food and restart her heart approximately 20 minutes later, but the grandmother's body had been starved of oxygen for too long.
She was placed on life support machines overnight to allow her daughters time to travel to Spain, but they unfortunately didn't make it in time. Ceri died the following day on October 17.
Family's Heartbreaking Tribute
Speaking after the inquest opening at Gwent Coroner's Court, Lisa paid an emotional tribute to her mother, who was known as "Gigi" to her grandchildren.
"Our beautiful mum, wife, grandmother died in the most tragic of circumstances," she said. "She was our matriarch, she was the queen, she was opinionated, but she cared about everyone. We are heartbroken."
Lisa described her mother as exceptionally selfless, always putting others first. "If something happened to someone else, she would be the first to help them, arranging a charity day and cooking for them. She was so selfless."
The family revealed that Ceri and Glyn, from Rogerstone, Newport in South Wales, had been spending several months at their "home from home" in Spain and were due to return to the UK the following week.
The provisional post mortem examination confirmed Mrs Ball died from asphyxiation, obstruction and choking, with area coroner Rose Farmer recording the death as unnatural.
Charity Support in Time of Need
The family has expressed profound gratitude to The Repatriation Services Trust, a charity established by the parents of Tom Bassett, who was killed by a drink driver in Dubai in 2017.
Lisa explained how the charity provided crucial support during their ordeal: "They've been so amazing. I contacted Steve, and he asked, 'What can we do? What can we help with?' and they've taken that financial strain from us."
"Without them all of dad's savings would have been wiped. It is difficult to put into words how much their support meant to us all and we want to help them continue in their selfless quest."
The family has now established a fundraising page to support the trust founded by Tom's parents Linda and Steve.
The inquest has been adjourned until 10am on July 23, 2026, when a full post mortem examination is expected to be completed.
