Blackpool coroner rules on death of wheelchair-user who died on holiday after falling down steps
A coroner has ruled on the death of a wheelchair-user who died on holiday in Blackpool after falling down some steps.
Stephanie Griffith, 59, of Farndon, Cheshire, was staying in Blackpool with her partner and the couple were returning to their accommodation in Coronation Street in the early hours when she suffered the fatal fall, an inquest heard.
An eyewitness statement read at the hearing at Blackpool Town Hall by senior coroner Alan Wilson said Ms Griffith’s partner was seen to hand Ms Griffith a walking stick and walk up a small set of steps at the accommodation towards the front door.
In getting up from her wheelchair and attempting to walk up the steps, Ms Griffith fell backwards and hit her head on the path.
Emergency services were called and she was taken unconscious to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, where she died shortly afterwards on December 21 last year.
Her head injury - a bleed on the brain - was said to be catastrophic and non-survivable and was the cause of death, a post mortem confirmed.
The post mortem also showed Ms Griffith
had pancreatitis, diabetes and advanced cirrhosis of the liver which might have made her more susceptible to injury.
Police said Ms Griffiths’ partner had been drinking on the night out from which they were returning at the time of the fatal incident, but he confirmed she had not because of the cirrhosis.
Sign up for our Blackpool Gazette retro newsletter - warm nostalgia delivered to your inbox - weekly.
Officers ruled out any evidence of third party involvement and Mr Wilson recorded a verdict of accidental death.