A RETIRED groundsman died after falling out of bed at a York nursing home, an inquest heard.

Frank Cox, aged 91, died on March 11 last year after his fall at South Park Nursing Home, Gale Lane.

At about midnight on March 8, Mr Cox was found on the floor of his bedroom by senior night sister, Pauline Allen. She said he had no injuries after the incident.

In the early hours of the morning Mr Cox was again found hanging out of his bed with a bruise on his head. Sister Allen said this may have been sustained on a radiator cover.

She had carried out observations following both the incidents and they had been satisfactory. Mr Cox was then checked every ten minutes.

York Coroner Donald Coverdale said if Mr Cox had been taken to hospital after falling out of bed there would be grave doubts as to whether the outcome would have been any different.

He said: "The verdict is one of accidental death."

Yesterday's coroner's court sitting also saw an accidental death verdict passed on the death of 85-year-old Frank Dolman.

Mr Dolman, of Beechwood Road, Norton-on-Derwent, fell three times within a month.

Mr Coverdale said it was a fall at Mr Dolman's home which was likely to have been the most serious.

Mr Dolman died on September 15, 2001.

He had suffered a fall while shopping in Malton a month previously and was treated in Malton Hospital.

Weeks later he had another fall while hanging some curtains at his home and received injuries.

He became unwell after that fall and was taken to York Hospital, where he fell again, but was not injured.

Mr Coverdale recorded a verdict of accidental death.

The court also heard how 48-year-old York man Kevin Butler died four years after falling during an epileptic fit.

The former roofer, from Rose Street, died on July 22, 2002.

He had fallen and hit his head during an epileptic fit in 1998.

Following the incident he became wheelchair bound and was unable to speak.

On July 17, 2002, his condition had deteriorated so much the family called a doctor and when his condition got worse on July 22, they called out the doctor again. The doctor called for an ambulance, but Mr Butler died before it arrived.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.

Updated: 10:15 Friday, April 18, 2003