Ambulance blocked on way to Schiffer’s mother-in-law

The death of former supermodel Claudia Schiffer’s mother-in-law is at the centre of a police investigation after an ambulance en-route to her home was deliberately blocked by a motorist.

Claudia Schiffer: Mother-in-law died of suspected heart attack. Picture: Getty

By the time paramedics arr­ived at the home of Kathy Ceaton, the mother of the German model’s film producer husband Matthew Vaughn, they were unable to help her.

The ambulance was held up by a man driving a silver Vauxhall Astra who refused to move out of the way and made rude gestures at the emergency vehicle. Yesterday police were still trying to trace the driver who, it was believed, could face careless driving charges.

The drama unfolded after a 999 call was received to attend Ms Ceaton’s flat in Thame, Oxfordshire, shortly after noon on Sunday to reports of a medical emergency – believed to be a heart attack.

“At about 12.20pm on Sunday, 21 July, the ambulance was travelling towards Thame on the A418 when a car prevented it from driving past,” a spokesman for Thames Valley Police said.

“South Central Ambulance Service reported the incident to police and an investigation has been launched by the Roads Policing Department.”

Ms Ceaton’s family yesterday paid tribute to a “generous and loving” mother.

“Kathy Megan Ceaton, beloved mother of Matthew Vaughn and Pasha Saigol, died on Sunday, 21 July, aged 66 years,” they said in a statement.

“Her intelligence, generosity, loyalty and friendship will be missed by many.”

Son Pasha Saigol added: “She was a successful television producer. She did some extraordinary work. She was kind, generous and loving to everyone she knew and she had a multitude of friends.”

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service said a community first responder, two ambulances and an air ambulance were dispatched to an address in Thame, on Sunday.

“One of the double-manned ambulances making its way to the scene was unnecessarily delayed due to another road user who refused to pull over and allegedly made rude gestures at the crew,” he said.

“We have informed Thames Valley Police and are obviously seeking a prosecution for obstructing an emergency vehicle en-route to an emergency.”

The spokesman said the delay in the neighbouring village of Haddenham probably did not affect the tragic outcome as other emergency vehicles had got to the scene unobstructed.

Sergeant Ian Baldock, who is investigating the incident, said: “The ambulance was on its way to an emergency call in Thame town centre when the incident happened. We have identified the car involved and are now in the process of carrying out an investigation to establish the full circumstances.”

Ms Ceaton was once married to Pakistani millionaire Javaid Saigol. Her son Matthew, who directed the films Layer Cake and Kick Ass, married Schiffer in 2002. They have three children together, Caspar, Clementine and Cosima.

Ms Ceaton is reported to have brought up 42-year-old Matthew almost single-handledly after splitting from his father, the actor Robert Vaughn.