A MAN died at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital after an accidental fall at home, an inquest has heard.

Albert John Richard Matthews, aged 83 from Alton, died on September 9 last year after sustaining injuries from a fall.

At an inquest today (February 15), Winchester Coroner's Court heard that the local fairground ride operator had become increasingly frail over the last three to four years.

Area Coroner Jason Pegg read out a statement written by Alberts son, Albert Jr, which stated his father was an ‘independent man’ who ‘would never ask for help’.

After Alberts wife passed away last year in July he had made it clear that he wanted to be ‘self-dependant’ even after his GP raised concerns about his ability to look after himself.

On the morning of September 7, Albert was found by his son after suffering a fall and was brought to Basingstoke Hospital’s Emergency Department by ambulance.

A CT scan showed a spinal injury and initially on admission his condition seemed to be improving.

However, over the next 24-hour period Alberts oxygen saturation dropped and he had difficulty breathing.

His condition deteriorated and at around 1am on September 9, Albert sadly died.

The direct cause of death was ruled as aspiration pneumonia with his cervical hyperextension injury, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease also noted as contributing factors.

Coroner Pegg concluded: “It seems to me that the appropriate conclusion is one of accident. Had Mr Matthews not suffered that fall, at his home address which resulted in him laying on the floor for a period of time. Then he would not have suffered the injury to his spine which was the ultimate cause of the development of Mr Matthews Pneumonia.”