An 88 year old woman narrowly escaped being after she "woke up" while funeral workers were preparing her seemingly lifeless body.

The horrifying incident took place in Pilsen, Czechia (also known as the), when the elderly woman appeared unresponsive one morning as her partner tried to rouse her.

In a panic, he promptly called for emergency services, but tragically, a coroner later declared her legally dead, according to Czech news outlet After the assumed 'death', funeral workers began preparing her body for burial, only to discover that she was not deceased at all, but very much alive.

Various reports suggest that the pensioner showed several signs of life, with some claiming she opened her eyes when placed in the coffin, while others suggested that her breathing alerted the funeral workers, reports .

The workers sought help and once it was confirmed that she was indeed alive, the woman was rushed to hospital where she is reported to be doing well.

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However, despite her fortunate escape from being buried alive, the distressing ordeal isn't over yet, as a police investigation has been launched to determine how a woman could be mistakenly declared dead, with the coroner suspected of failing to provide aid to her condition.

The firm employing the coroner has issued an apology, vowing there will be repercussions for the blunder, although specifics on what measures will be taken have not been disclosed.

Ambulance spokesperson Martin Štěpán explained: "Our operations centre received a call in the early morning hours, during which the operator proceeded in accordance with the valid recommendations of the professional society and the methodology for situations related to the death of a patient.

"Following this procedure, the entire incident was handed over to the coroner."

However, upon mortuary workers noticing the woman was breathing, "the operations centre immediately dispatched emergency medical services to the scene."

Mr Štěpán concluded: "The woman's basic life functions were ensured on site and she was subsequently transported to a medical facility."

Police spokeswoman Michaela Raindlová added that they were investigating the reported death of an elderly woman, only to discover she was, in fact, alive. "We are examining the circumstances of the case. The legal qualification has not yet been determined."