THE death of a 75-year-old who fell at his home was accidental, a coroner has concluded.

Family members of Robert Louis Stevens were told how he died despite surgery at Wrexham Maelor Hospital on September 6, a resumed inquest in Mold was told.

His son Matthew Stevens told the coroner about his father’s life in Birmingham as a printing manager which led him to a job in Penyffordd where he settled down and raised a family.

He also talked about how his father was a ‘loving man’ who cared deeply for his family.

Joanne Lees, assistant coroner for North Wales East and Central, told the hearing at County Hall, Mold, that Mr Stevens’ medical history of bronchopneumonia, diabetes and heart attacks – as well as living with Alzheimer’s – all contributed to the death.

Despite no recorded history of falls, emergency services were called to his home in Wrexham Road, Penyffordd, Chester, where carers found Mr Stevens had fallen and damaged his femur.

Upon being taken to hospital, doctors discussed with Robert’s family the possibility and the risks linked to letting the fracture heal naturally for someone of Mr Stevens’ age, the hearing was told.

The coroner said Mr Stevens underwent an operation at Wrexham Maelor Hospital to fix the damage caused to his hip – which was successful at first – but it became infected and Mr Stevens was not strong enough to fight the infection.

Mrs Lees said Mr Stevens’ health history would have contributed to his deterioration but the fall itself was the catalyst for events which resulted in his death.

She said: “The timing of the fall led to the injury, the operation and eventually Mr Stevens’ death.

“It is unfortunate but there simply is a risk that older people will not fully make it through surgery sometimes.”