Fell out of bed

“Accidental Death” Verdict at Denaby

The death of a 62-year-old Cadeby housewife who had an inoperable ailment was accelerated when she fell out of bed at Fullerton hospital, Denaby Main, it was stated at the Denaby inquest on Wednesday, when the Doncaster District coroner (Mr. W. H. Carlile) recorded a verdict of “accidental death” and Mrs. Hilda Ayto of Rose Cottage, Cadeby.

Mr Frank H Ayto was asked by the coroner, “Where is your name come from? It seems rather unusual.” Mr. Ayto said it was an old Lincolnshire name.

He said his wife had had good health for many years. She had two operations some time ago and had recovered satisfactorily. In November, 1954, she was taken seriously ill and was attended by Dr Clark. Before Christmas the same year she was able to get about again and carried out her household duties.

In July this year she was again seen by Dr. Clark, she complained of pain in her back, and in July 12 was admitted to Fullerton hospital, where she died on Saturday.

Dr David Clark, of Conisbrough said Mrs. Ayto had been his patient for some years. He had called at her house on July 9^th. When she complained of a back pain an examination showed that Mrs.Ayto had a swelling of the abdomen. At the hospital she was examined by a consultant physician and a consultant surgeon. Both experts agreed that Mrs. Ayto’s complaint was inoperable and they gave little hope of her living much longer.

Dr Clarke said Mrs. Ayto fell out of bed on August 5^th and never regained consciousness before dying on August 6^th . There was a wound on her scalp but there was no fracture. Her death he said, was accelerated by the fall, in answer to the coroner.

Dr. Clarke said he was not called to the hospital immediately after the fall. It all happened during the night and he called the following day

Both Off Duty

The coroner said he would like to hear more details of the fall, and he asked the police constable to try to find the two nurses who had been on duty on the night of the accident.

The coroner was told that both nurses were off duty. He then asked that the matron be asked to give evidence.

Miss Doris A. Brighton, Matron said both nurses were off duty. One would not be back until the following afternoon and the other the following evening.

Answering Mr Carlisle. Miss Brighton said Mrs Ayto had been a very good patient and had not been restless. Mrs, Ayto had been in an ordinary beds and they had no trouble with her. There were 10 beds in the world.

Two nurses – an assistant nurse who is registered to deal with fever cases, and the assistant nurse – where on duty on the night of the accident.

During the night, one of the nurses gave witness to say that Mrs. Ayto had fallen out of bed. Miss Brighton said the nurses had been in Mrs Ayto’s ward and had crossed to the men’s Ward when their attention was attracted by a thud.

They found Mrs. Ayto had fallen out of the right-hand side of the bed and appeared to have struck her left side on a cabinet as she fell.