York Hospital fall death ‘accidental’ (From York Press)

Ken Telfer inquest records verdict of accidental death at York Hospital

9:15am Thursday 21st October 2010 in News By Nicola Fifield, Senior reporter

THE death of a former Terry’s manager following a fall at York Hospital was accidental, says York’s coroner.

John Kenneth Telfer, who was known as Ken, died in June last year after fracturing his hip when he fell in the hospital’s radiology department.

An inquest heard how the 89-year-old died from a gastro-intestinal haemorrhage due to a tear in his stomach lining, which was caused by vomiting.

Dr Carl Gray, a pathologist who carried out the post-mortem examination, said the vomiting was probably brought on by the fracture and subsequent treatment, while the fact Mr Telfer suffered from coronary heart disease meant he was less able to survive the haemorrhage.

Mr Telfer, who lived in Fulfordgate and was a retired departmental manager at Terry’s chocolate factory, had attended York Hospital for an examination to discover the cause of his anaemia.

In recording a verdict of accidental death, York coroner Donald Coverdale said: “We have heard he was assisted in sitting up on the bed on which he had been lying and was assisted to his feet.

“He was given his stick and then he stood independently. There is no suggestion he asked for any further support other than that he was getting from his stick.”

He said Jenny Haighton, a student radiographer, then went to the other side of the room to collect his personal belongings and as she turned round she saw him fall to the ground.

Mr Coverdale said: “That sequence of events clearly points to an accident having occurred at York Hospital.”

But Mr Telfer’s son, Andrew Telfer, who attended the inquest, questioned why his father was left standing with only the support of his stick.

He said: “All my dad needed was an arm under him. I don’t understand why he wasn’t supported.”

Mr Telfer, who served with the RAF during the Second World War, but was never involved in active service, had three children, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.