Firefighters unsuccessfully tried to revive Andrew Clarkson, using a defibrillator and resuscitation equipment.

The crew was sent to Mr Clarkson's address in Hemsworth, West Yorkshire, by ambulance controllers because they had no paramedic crews immediately available.

Now a local MP is calling for a government inquiry into the incident.

'Sad outcome'

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Fire Service said: "We responded to a call for assistance and the crew did everything in their powers, but in this particular case it was a sad outcome."

West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service has issued a statement, offering its condolences to Mr Clarkson's family.

It added: "In circumstances where the ambulance service is exceptionally busy, it is standard practice to ask neighbouring ambulance services or other emergency services to assist.

"On a national level, the fire service are fully trained and qualified first-aiders and have been specifically trained to use defibrillators."

'Human tragedy'

John Trickett, Labour MP for Hemsworth, is calling on the Secretary of State for Health, Alan Milburn, to launch an inquiry.

He said: "This is a human tragedy.

"It is alarming that the fire brigade were called out because there were no ambulances available in West Yorkshire - it is not as though it is the Outer Hebrides.

"The question of why paramedics were not available needs to be answered."