Slippers played part in pensioner’s fatal ladder fall

A CORONER has said a pensioner’s slippers played a part in his death after he fell from a ladder while carrying out DIY.

Michael Helias, 70, was renovating his second home when his feet became tangled, which led to him plunging down a flight of stairs and through a banister.

The University of Brighton technical officer was found by his wife Christina, who visited the house after not hearing from him, an inquest heard. Mr Helias died from a fractured spine on June 20.

Coroner Catharine Palmer ruled the death was accidental and that the 70-year-old’s slippers played a part.

She told Brighton Coroner’s Court: “He was a man who loved to do things and took a great deal of pride in what he did. He was working on his own in his second home.

“He was working way above head height on the ladder.

“He was in his slippers, which although were on tight, were perhaps not ideal.”

His wife Christina told the inquest: “Michael was a clever, practical man with a love of nature. There was nothing he couldn’t fix or make.”