Cluttered stairs may have caused fatal fall for Herefordshire man (From Hereford Times)

Cluttered stairs may have caused fatal fall for Herefordshire man

10:30am Wednesday 8th July 2009 in

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A FORMER sailor who died after a fall had previously been asked to move into sheltered accommodation.

Anthony Thornton, aged 71, died on March 13 after falling down the stairs of his Titley home.

A Hereford inquest heard last Friday that Mr Thornton may have tripped on a shoe or a carrier bag.

Dr Edmund Tapp, pathologist, said the victim suffered from alcoholic sclerosis and had liver and heart problems.

The problems caused a drop in blood pressure after the fall, causing Mr Thornton to die of multiple chest injuries.

His friend, David Owens, of Presteigne, blamed health problems on a career in the Navy and drinks trade.

“He wasn’t a big drinker and he cut down the smoking, but the damage was done early on,” said Mr Owens. “I tried to get him to move into sheltered accommodation so someone could keep an eye on him.”

Sgt Mike Doolan, of Leominster police, ruled out criminal activity, and noted there were several items cluttering the stairwell.

Assistant deputy coroner Roland Wooderson recorded a verdict of accidental death.