Angmering man died 17 days after falling down stairs

Sixty-eight-year-old David Mitchell, of Palmer Road, died on March 20, at Worthing Hospital, 17 days after the fall.

At an inquest held in Chichester, Lynda Ralfe, of the West Sussex Coroner's Office, said that Mr Mitchell, who suffered from diabetes, poor mobility, deteriorated eyesight and had undergone a blood transfusion every six weeks for the last six months of his life, had not fell well on the morning of the accident.

"He said he felt sick and did not want any food, he had some toast at lunchtime, and in the evening he had some tea and then settled down to watch TV."

At about 11.30pm he and his partner Francoise Denis, his partner of 10 years, went to bed. Miss Denis climbed the stairs, and a few minutes later Mr Mitchell used a stairlift, which had been installed one year before.

Ms Ralfe continued: "Miss Denis had gone into the bedroom to fold the sheets back when a noise brought her running back out onto the landing.

"Mr Mitchell had fallen down the stairs and was laying on the floor in the hall."

She added that Mr Mitchell, a retired engineer, was not aware how or why he fell, and that he was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he was told that he had suffered a serious brain injury and a fractured spine.

"His recovery was greatly complicated by an impaired consciousness level and his chronic ill health," said Ms Ralfe, "in particular diabetes, which predisposed him to secondary chest infections."

West Sussex coroner Penelope Schofield recorded a verdict of accidental death.

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