A veteran died following an accidental fall in a family home, an inquest heard. 

On Friday, December 23 2022, Derek Kirkpatrick, from Hartley Wintney died at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey. 

An inquest into his death took place on Thursday, February 1 at Winchester Coroner's Court.

The court heard from Mr Kirkpatrick's children, who said he was a 'real family man who loved his granddaughters' who was 'very well known in the community'.

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Mr Kirkpatrick had been living with family for more than six years when he had several falls on Saturday, November 26, 2022. The second fall resulted in Mr Kirkpatrick fracturing his left femur. 

An ambulance was called on the following Monday as Mr Kirkpatrick was struggling and he was taken to Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, where he underwent an operation to treat a fractured femur.

The family spoke at the inquest. They said: "He was a massive family man, a hard worker who loved his family, especially his lovely granddaughters.

"He had two main careers throughout his life, one in the army for 25 years and then a further successful career in financial services.

"He grew up in Yorkshire before meeting our mother in Church Crookham and settling down originally in Odiham, before moving to Hartley Wintney.

"He was a very hard-working and well-known figure in the community."

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Mr Kirkpatrick had initially responded well following the operation before he began suffering from a number of health concerns, including pneumonia and flu.

He was put under end-of-life care on Thursday, December 22 2022 before passing away on Friday, December 23, 2022.

Coroner Jason Pegg said: "Derek was able to live in a family home independently, albeit with the use of a walking stick or frame to get about, and was someone who didn't fall regularly despite his age and dementia.

"He was admitted to hospital on November 28 2022, the fracture was repaired on December 1, with no problems arising from the procedure. However, the operation did immobilise him and he developed aspiration pneumonia on December 9, which was followed by the flu.

"In conclusion, without the fall he wouldn't have died when he did. To have an operation is a tremendous effort on the body, which led to an inability to move as independently and contributed to worsening his condition, resulting in his death."