An inquiry has been launched into why police officers failed to smash open a bathroom door as a woman lay dying inside.
Sushma Kaur, 25, was found collapsed and not breathing inside her flat in Gordon Street, Ilford, north west London, on January 23.
Her seven-year-old son had raised the alarm but when response officers arrived they called for back-up with specialist equipment.
Mrs Kaur was taken to hospital by paramedics but was pronounced dead an hour-and-a-half after a 999 call was made.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) announced an inquiry into the decision of the first officers at the scene to wait for help. Officials will focus on the 16-minute delay between officers arriving and eventually opening the door.
A neurologist told an inquest hearing that basic medical care could have saved Mrs Kaur if it had been delivered earlier.
Walthamstow Coroner's Court heard Mrs Kaur would be alive "on the balance of probabilities" if she had been put in the recovery position when officers arrived.
Rachel Cerfontyne, of the IPCC, said the inquest has been adjourned pending the results of the inquiry.
She said: "This must have been a terrible shock for Ms Kaur's family and we have family liaison managers in place to make sure they are kept up to date with the progress of our investigation. We will be looking at the circumstances surrounding the death of Sushma Kaur and investigating why police did not force the door open more quickly."
The Metropolitan Police declined to comment.
