Retford: Inquest rules former councillor died as a result of an accident

John Dewsbury, 89, of Southgate in Retford, died from head injuries sustained after he slipped and fell from a pavement while visiting family and friends in Lincolnshire.

Notts Coroners Court heard the Mr Dewsbury had been with his wife Iris and two other family members at a family reunion in March when the accident happened.

Mr Dewsbury had been moving out of the way of a man with a pushchair coming past them on the pavement when he lost his footing and fell back on to the road and hit his head.

His wife Iris said she immediately knew it was serious and an ambulance was called.

During the journey to hospital, Mr Dewsbury was conscious and was asking what had happened and was told he had had a serious fall.

At hospital in Boston, he was examined and was discovered to have suffered a fracture to the head and swelling and bleeding on the brain.

At the time, doctors decided surgery was too risky, as was moving him to the Queen’s Medical Centre, and instead, Mr Dewsbury was given drugs to help his condition.

For a time, he seemed to be improving and he was moved to Bassetlaw Hospital to be closer to his family.

But a week after the accident, his conditioned worsened again and he died on 20th March.

Paying tribute to Mr Dewsbury, a father of five, his wife Iris said he was a wonderful family man who was highly respected in the community and was loved by his family, none more so than her.

Summing up, Senior Coroner for Notts, Miss Mairin Casey, said it was clear that Mr Dewsbury had died as a result of the injuries sustained in his fall and recorded a conclusion of accidental death.