A man who died from a life-threatening condition would have survived if doctors had performed a scan to identify it, an inquest heard.

Dad-of-two Andy Wing, from Hythe, passed away after collapsing in a hotel room on Tuesday, 15 January last year.

Two days earlier, the 66-year-old, who was visiting friends in Surrey with wife Briege, had gone to A&E at St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey suffering with chest pain.

But he was discharged several hours later after doctors believed his pain was probably muscular, an inquest at Surrey Coroner’s Court was told.

The couple checked into a hotel that evening after Mr Wing said he was in too much pain to drive home to Kent.

He continued to be in severe pain and remained at the hotel until his collapse on January 15.

He died as a result of an aortic dissection - also known as a torn aorta.

The hearing was told this condition was considered by doctors during his hospital visit but ruled out, and a specific CT scan which could have diagnosed a torn aorta was not carried out.

Coroner Caroline Topping recorded a narrative conclusion at the inquest, and said Mr Wing's symptoms were sufficient enough for the scan to have been carried out.

The coroner ruled if the scan had been conducted his torn aorta would have been diagnosed and he would have undergone emergency surgery and would have survived.

Mrs Wing, 66, has now spoken of the impact the loss of her husband, a former Fleet Street advertising executive, has had on her family.

She also wants to raise awareness of aortic dissection.

Mrs Wing, who was married to Andy for 42 years, said: "Andy was fit and healthy. He swam regularly and visited the gym several times a week.

"He had not been to a GP for around six years and hadn’t been to A&E for around 40 years.

"He was very concerned during his attendance at hospital, but felt that he had been dismissed.

"It was only after Andy died and when I read aortic dissection on his interim death certificate that I heard of the phrase.

"Andy was such a kind, loving and generous man who adored his family.

"I have lost a husband and a marriage that was deeply precious to me. My sons have lost their beloved father.

"No words will do justice to what Andy meant to us. The last year and dealing with the intense shock of coming to terms with how Andy was suddenly taken from us has been difficult beyond belief.

"While we know that nothing can bring him back, we needed to honour his memory by establishing the answers that he deserved.

"All we can hope for now is that Andy’s death is used to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of an aortic dissection.

"I wouldn’t wish the anguish and pain our family is going through on anyone else."

Following Mr Wing's death, Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust, which runs St Peter’s Hospital, carried out an investigation.

A spokeswoman for the Trust said: "We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr Wing following his death.

"We had recognised there were some aspects of Mr Wing’s care that could have been improved and conducted a full serious incident investigation following his death.

"While we know that nothing can bring him back, we needed to honour his memory by establishing the answers that he deserved..."

"This report was submitted to the coroner and fully examined at the inquest.

"The coroner was reassured that the Trust had identified the key learning points and taken steps to implement changes in practice."

Specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell supported Mrs Wing through the inquest.

Lawyer Rachel Osborne said: "Briege and the rest of Andy’s family have been left devastated by what has happened.

"Understandably they had a number of questions about the events that unfolded in the lead up to Andy’s sudden death and sadly the inquest has validated those concerns.

"A torn aorta is an extremely dangerous condition and it is vital that people are aware of the signs and the importance of receiving appropriate medical treatment as quickly as possible and that medical professionals consider the possibility of aortic dissection as early as possible.

"It can make the difference between life and death."

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