Retired nurse dies after breakfast fall at home, inquest told

Sadie Sambrook, 88, of Lower Park Road, suffered several broken ribs after the accident on March 15.

At Wednesday's inquest, Dr Ian Hawley, who carried out the post-mortem examination, said Mrs Sambrook, a retired nurse died due to pneumonia brought on by the fall.

The inquest heard that the widow was diagnosed with osteoporosis, a disease which causes the weakening of bones, in October 2001.

She also suffered from hypertension.

Her son Christopher, who lived with her for eight years following the death of her husband, said that he found her lying on the floor when he returned from work on March 15 at around 4.30pm.

In the morning he had prepared her breakfast for her on a trolley, he told Wednesday's inquest.

Mr Sambrook said: "My mother tried to be independent and I used to do her shopping for her and make sure she was OK in the morning before going to work.

"She was unable to hold her head up and was due to see an osteopath on March 23."

He said on the day of her accident she appeared 'pretty frail' in the morning but said she was OK.

Mrs Sambrook, who was born in Brierley Hill, Staffordshire, was rushed to the Conquest Hospital but sadly died two days later.

Coroner Alan Craze recorded a verdict of accidental death.