Asylum seeker death was 'natural'

Mrs Ozmico made the journey locked inside a lorry container

A verdict of death by natural causes has been returned at an inquest into the case of an asylum seeker who spent eight days locked in a lorry container.

Elmas Ozmico, 40, died from blood poisoning five days after she arrived in Kent, a Dover inquest jury heard.

Mrs Ozmico claimed asylum in July 2003 after travelling from Turkey with her two children and nephew.

The coroner was told she complained she was unwell when detained at Dover, but had to wait 12 hours to see a doctor.

Husband wept

When she collapsed, she was taken to the William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, where she underwent three operations, but died on 13 July.

The inquest jury was told she had planned to join her husband in the UK after the journey from her homeland.

He attended the inquest during every day of the two-week hearing.

He wept as he told the jury that when he saw his wife in hospital for the first time in five years she could not even speak to him.

The inquest also heard from the government agencies which dealt with Mrs Ozmico.

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