AN inquest was held yesterday into the death of Ernest George Gilpin, 82, of Melrosegate, York.

Mr Gilpin, known as Joe to friends and neighbours, was found lying at the bottom of his staircase by his neighbour Betty Loftus after he fell on the morning of December 2. He was taken into hospital with a fracture to his arm, but it was discovered a few days later he had also broken his hip. He died in hospital after getting a chest infection.

The inquest heard he had had a heart condition, as well as chronic emphysema and bronchitis, and also had osteoporosis which had been an element in the fractures.

The cause of death was a combination of his heart condition and the fractures, and York Coroner Mr Donald Coverdale recorded a verdict of accidental death.

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