Grandad dies after hospital window fall

A Sunderland man, who was described as a “everybody’s grandad”, has sadly died after falling from a window at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Edward Cockburn was rushed to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary after falling from a second-floor window at Sunderland Royal Hospital – where he was being treated for mild pneumoniaafterhe was admitted with a cold.

The82-year-old had left the ward and fell from a window at the hospital, off Chester Road, on March 15, his family said.

The grandfather-of-10 suffered extensive injuries and sadly died 10 days later at the RVI on Wednesday, March 25. His devastated family asked hospital chiefs how this could have happened.

An investigation was launched by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.

Mr Cockburn, who was described as fit and healthy for his age, was well liked in the community with many sharing kind words about the former miner.

After the fall, his daughter Lyn Paolo told the Echo: “He’s well known in the community and well liked, everybody loves him he’ s like everybody’ s grandad.”

Melanie Johnson, Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professional sat South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our sincere apologies and condolences go out to Mr Cockburn’ s family at this very sad time.

“We are carrying out a full and thorough investigation into what happened. We are in close contact with the family and will share our findings with them as soon as we are able to.”