AN elderly woman who died after a surgeon tore her throat during a routine procedure told one of her relatives: "Look at what they did to me."

Janet McGown, 95, underwent an endoscopy at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy in January. But during the procedure the surgeon cut her oesophagus leaving her choking for breath.

Hospital staff were against repairing the laceration and within six days it developed into a chest infection which led to her death.

The family of Ms McGown, a retired midwife, said she should never of had to "die in agony". Her niece, Jane Russell, from Glenrothes, said: "My aunt was fiercely independent."

But six months ago she began to feel sick and doctors found the cause to be bile duct stones. In January, she had the procedure where a tube is placed down the patient's throat in order for the stones to be removed.

However, the next day, Ms Russell was informed by a doctor her aunt's operation had gone wrong.

Doctors advised Ms Russell the tear could heal but it would mean a three-week stay in hospital.

Ms Russell is now demanding answers from the health board: "If there were risks to such a simple procedure because of her age then why did the doctors go through with it?"

Dr Brian Montgomery, medical director of NHS Fife, said: "We encourage the family to contact our patient relations department to discuss their concerns."