Coroner finds pensioner’s death ‘accidental’ following care home fall

A coroner has found that a pensioner’s death following a fall in a Hampshire care home was “accidental”.

Ronald John Line died at Ashbourne Court Care Home in Andover on November 2, 2018 after falling and fracturing his neck one week earlier, the Andover Advertiser reported.

Senior coroner Graham Short said: “On the balance of probabilities this was an accidental death. But for the fracture on the 25th of October he would not have died.”

The court heard that Mr Line, who had Parkinson’s disease, was leaving his room at 6am when he lost his balance and fell.

Nurses at the home, which is run by brighterkind, rang an ambulance after being alerted by Mr Line’s alarm mat, which had been placed next to his bed in case of his falling.

Other precautions put in place by the home, which were detailed by registered manager Rajesh Ayyappan during the hearing, included a falls assessment upon Mr Line’s admittance and 24-hourly observation.

The court heard Mr Line had initially declined to go to hospital following his fall but was later admitted after having complained of neck pain.

Having also contracted pneumonia, Mr Line was given palliative care upon his return to the home until he passed away.

A brighterkind spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with Mr Line’s family at this sad time. His passing following the accidental fall was deeply distressing for all who knew him.”