Son found his father dead on the floor
INQUEST HEARS MAN HAD ‘GIVEN UP’ AFTER WIFE’S DEATH
AN ELDERLY Tutbury man who had “given up” following the death of his wife was found by his son on his kitchen floor after dying from hypothermia, an inquest was told.
David Harris, 82, was found dead by his son Richard in his Tutbury home, in Park Lane on Monday, October 29.
An inquest ruled that he died from hypothermia, after being examined by consultant pathologist Dr Peter Acland, who carried out a post-mortem examination.
Mr Harris was last seen on the morning of October 28 by his son, who was living with him during the week.
According to Mr Harris’ regular doctor from Tutbury Health Centre, in Monk Street, he had low blood pressure and renal impairment, but nothing for significant concern.
Coroner’s officer Stephanie Fisher told the inquest at Burton Town Hall: “I spoke to Richard, his son, who advised that he’d been living with his dad from Monday to Friday to help look after him since the death of his wife in January.
“He last saw his dad at 10am on October 28 when he said he wasn’t feeling too bad and so Richard told him to make sure he ate something that day.
“Richard returned the following morning and found him on the floor in the kitchen. He was on his side and his kettle was nearby on the floor.
“He told me that his dad had a medical history of angina and gout. He was a non-smoker and didn’t drink alcohol.”
South Staffordshire coroner, Andrew Haigh added: “Earlier this year his wife died and his son comments how his father had ‘given up.’
“Indeed his son kept an eye on his father during his final months.
“Mr Harris’s son sees him on October 28 and there are no particular concerns then, the next morning he makes the sad discovery of his father dead in the kitchen. The examination shows that Mr Harris has died of hypothermia. There’s no obvious reason as to why Mr Harris should collapse.
“In view of the circumstances I cannot consider this to be a natural death but I think on balance it is likely to be unintended and should be described as accident.”