A "dead" woman has remarkably "come back to life" in her coffin in Ecuador, shocking friends and family.
Bella Montoya had been taken by her son to Martin Icaza Hospital in Babahoyo, the capital of the Los Ríos province, on the morning of June 9 after telling him she was feeling unwell.
Just three hours later, doctors delivered Gilbert Rodolfo Balberan Montoya the terrible news that his mother had died.
The cause of death was reportedly given as cardiorespiratory arrest caused by an unspecified cerebrovascular disease.
Gilbert confirmed to local media that his 76-year-old mother had suffered from hypertension and heart conditions.
Bella was placed in her coffin at 2pm, according to local media. But about four hours later, her relatives opened the coffin to change her clothes.
It was then that she reportedly began to gasp for breath.
The person filming said: "We are here at 509 Olmedo Street, where a person who was declared dead in the hospital has been in the coffin since noon, and it turns out the lady is alive. At this moment, we can see that she has vital signs.
"She is struggling to breathe; we called the emergency services, but they told us they will call us back and that there is no ambulance."
Gilbert recounted: "With her left hand, she was hitting the coffin, and her hand was pulsating."
He told local media: "They even gave us a death certificate.
"My mum is on oxygen. Her heart is stable. The doctor pinched her hand, and she reacted; they tell me that is a good sign because it means she is slowly responding."
According to local media, Bella experienced catalepsy - a state of prolonged rigid posture, occurring for example in schizophrenia or in hypnotic trances.
Local media reported that she was eventually taken to hospital. As of June 10, she remained in the ICU.
Gilbert said: "I am slowly coming to terms with what has happened. Now, I only ask for my mother's health to improve. I want her to be alive and by my side."
