AN 89-year-old woman died after falling out of bed in hospital and suffering a fractured hip.

An inquest heard that Alice Pilkington had been admitted to Royal Blackburn Hospital suffering from nausea and a sore leg.

She was kept in for tests but the following day was found on the floor of the ward.

Mrs Pilkington, of O'Hagan Court, Brierfield, was not well enough to face surgery and her condition deteriorated.

Pathologist Mar Sissons gave the medical cause of death as bronchopneumonia with renal failure and fractured femur contributing.

Dr Sissons said there was a high risk of elderly patients developing bronchopneumonia during a period of enforced immobility. He said Mrs Pilkington's kidney problem would not have helped.

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a narrative verdict which reflected the sequence of events and said the fracture and renal failure would have pre-disposed Mrs Pilkington to bronchopneumonia.