A CORONER recorded an 'open' verdict into the death of a 73-year-old woman who was found in her home with head injuries.

Abina Roberts, Kington Road, Weobley, was found at the bottom of the stairs of her house on October 18 and died five days later in Southmead Hospital, Bristol.

At an inquest into her death held at Hereford Town Hall on Wednesday County Coroner Mark Bricknell said that Mrs Roberts was unwell and was probably suffering from undiagnosed lung cancer.

He said: "We don't know whether she fell because of this or her injuries led to the cancer.

"Bearing in mind the consequences and underlying disease I conclude an open verdict.

"She died from pneumonia which was obviously a consequence of head injuries and lung cancer."

Mrs Roberts was described as a 'very private lady' but remained active and wasn't on any medication before the incident.

Neighbour Robert Trevor Williams was asked to check on Mrs Roberts on October 18 by a family member who was concerned that she was not answering her phone.

"On arrival I knocked on the porch door but didn't want to scare Mrs Roberts as I was a complete stranger to her," said Mr Williams.

"At that time other neighbours arrived and one agreed to go in.

"They came back quickly as they found her at the bottom of the stairs. She looked as though she'd collapsed rather than fell.

"She was already concious but could only grunt. At no time after was she able to talk to explain what happened."

An air ambulance transferred her to Southmead Hospital, Bristol.

Consultant Keith Davies at the hospital said that a CT scan showed that she had suffered a fractured scull. He said that by October 21 Mrs Roberts had woken but in the next 24 hours she started to deteriorate.

She died on October 23 at 6.36pm.