After inquests stopped in March, due to the Covid-19 lockdown, cases are finally being heard again at the Isle of Wight Coroner’s Court.
Sitting for the first time last week, Isle of Wight Coroner Caroline Sumeray heard the first cases since lockdown restrictions eased and the all-clear to resume was given.
One of the first cases heard was that of Mr Gary Edmond Newbold, which concluded he had died in December last year, as a result of an accident.
The 68-year-old fell at his Wroxall home on December 4, and initially did not want his family to call for help. In the early hours of December 5, however, his son rang for an ambulance after he complained of pain in his left hip.
He was taken to St Mary’s Hospital in Newport, where an x-ray found Mr Newbold, a retired wood machinist, had fractured his left femur.
While in hospital, Mr Newbold developed pneumonia, which caused problems due to a past history of chronic lung disease.
Staff at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust noted he was in a great deal of discomfort and was at times confused but he did make progress following physiotherapy.
Mr Newbold’s condition deteriorated, however, and on Christmas Day, 2019, he was transferred to Mountbatten hospice, in Newport, where he received palliative care until his death.
An inquest into the death of David ‘George’ Barnes, it was found he died suddenly on February 1, due to recognised complications of a necessary medicine regime.
Mr Barnes had been seen at the emergency department after having an episode of confusion.
His wife, Mary, said she had been speaking to her husband as she walked into the bathroom and heard him fall to the floor.
By the time paramedics arrived, Mr Barnes had died due to an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
It was repaired in 2017 but had developed a persistent leak, and was at a point where, according to Mrs Barnes, no more could be done as a stent had already been inserted to help the flow of blood.
Coroner, Ms Sumeray said the aneurysm could not be completely repaired and there was a risk it would be difficult to survive, especially as Mr Barnes was on medicine which thinned his blood.
Mrs Barnes said her husband had died how he would have wanted, at home and in no pain and described him as a wonderful husband, father and step-father.
Kathleen Gilfrin died in March having suffered a fall at home, causing a traumatic subdural haematoma, where blood collects between the skull and the surface of the brain.
Mrs Gilfrin, 85, also contracted pneumonia in hospital.
Her husband said she was walking in their Ryde house, on February 24, when she fell and hit her head on their bedroom floor.
Mr Gilfrin sat with her until the paramedics came but noted her face was blank.
A CT scan at St Mary’s Hospital found a bleed in Mrs Gilfrin’s head.
Mr Gilfrin said:
“Even though we both retired to the Island to put our feet up, Kathy’s health deteriorated, with one problem after another.”
In the conclusion of accidental death, Ms Sumeray said:
“She suffered a traumatic subdural haemorrhage which was exacerbated by the anticoagulant medicine she took.”
Engine Problems Lead To Yarmouth RNLI Callout To Osborne Bay
Ryde Academy Students Donate To Two Worthy Causes At Christmas
Road Improvement Works To Get Underway From The Very Start Of The New Year
Isle of Wight Youth Trust Benefits From Big Give Support
Council Chair 'Furious' Over Floating Bridge Replacement Fiasco
Fire Service Travel To Island Contributes To Huge Budget Overspend
Department Approaching Completion In Ryde As Opening Date Announced
Guidance Issued Over Sharps Disposal As Waste Teams At Risk
Police Warnings Over E-Scooters Ahead Of Christmas Day
Controversial Freshwater Housing Proposal Turned Down
Rare Mantis Shrimp Discovery Made In Waters Off Isle Of Wight
Man In 50s Confirmed Dead Following Newport Crash
Pedestrian In Hospital With Serious Injuries Following Early Morning Motorcycle Crash
Cowes Stately Home To Have Facilities Upgraded As Part Of Approved Renovation
Ofsted Deliver Glowing Report For 'Welcoming' And 'Highly Ambitious' Island Primary School
Help Available For Islanders To Cut Energy Bills
Cowes Lifeboat Performs Mid-Solent Rescue Of Fishing Boat
Christmas Shopping With A Difference In Ryde – Half A Mile Out To Sea!
Home-From-Home' Nursery Given 'Outstanding' Ofsted Grade
