Anniversary meal choked tragic hubby

A PENSIONER died after choking on a rib-eye steak at a wedding anniversary dinner with his wife.

Michael Pitts, 84, had told bistro staff the meat was “a bit chewy” but declined a replacement as he and Joan, 78, celebrated 57 years together.

He fell backwards in his chair coughing after eating part of the steak, an inquest heard yesterday.

Staff, diners and police helped paramedics carry out CPR. But Mr Pitts, from Basingstoke, Hants, went into cardiac arrest and died later in hospital.

Coroner Andrew Bradley told the hearing in the town: “This was a celebration that couldn’t go any more wrong. Everyone behaved brilliantly but it was to no avail.”

Verdict: Misadventure.

SCENE The restaurant