Battle pensioner died after falling twice

Wynne Longman, 81, who was known by everyone as Wendy, was found lying in her room at Cedarwood House care home in Hastings Road, Battle on January 23 this year.

An inquest into her death, which took place on February 1, was heard on Tuesday (July 28).

Donna Croft-Beeney, night carer at Cedarwood House, said: “Wendy was found in her room lying on the floor. I put her in the recovery position and called 999.

“She did have dementia. She was a lovely woman. Sometimes she would speak about her husband and her job. She did have problems with walking. If you held her hand she would be fine.”

In a statement read out at Tuesday’s inquest, senior carer, Marcialota Bootle, said: “The fall was not witnessed by anyone. She had bruising and staff assisyed her ontgo a chair.”

Patrick Crunden, paramedic practitioner for South East Coast Ambulsance Service, who attended the home following Mrs Longman’s fall, said: “She had been left alone just for a moment before falling. She told me she was suffering from lower back pain.”

Dr John Rivett, Mrs Longman’s GP, said the pensioner was prone to falling, having had several accidents in the last few years.

“She was assisted by the community rehabilitation team and because of her back she walked with a very stoop gait.

“She was admitted to hospital because of pneumonia and because of a fall in September 2013.”

Ian Hawley, pathologist who carried out a post-mortem examination, said Mrs Longman died due to pneumonia brought on by the fall, as well as a brain haemorrhage.

Coroner Alan Craze reached a conclusion of accidental death.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RyeandBattleObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @BattleObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Rye and Battle Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.