Elderly Lisson Grove woman dies after fall

Westminster Coroner's Court heard on Wednesday that the retired factory worker is believed to have left her flat to put some rubbish down a chute without her glasses, walking stick or keys to her flat.

The door to her flat may have shut, leaving her unable to get in and possibly confused about where she was.

Mrs Cross, who had a stroke in 2002, may have tried to find help to get into her flat from staff at the sheltered housing scheme, but accidentally tripped leaving her slippers at the top of the flight.

Scheme manager Anne Lowe heard Mrs Cross calling for help just after the accident happened, at around 6.30pm on July 5.

Ms Lowe said: "I saw Mrs Cross lying at the bottom of a flight of stairs.

"She was conscious but she had an injury to her head. She seemed very confused."

She was taken to St Mary's Hospital, in Praed Street, Paddington, where she remained until her death on July 25.

Deputy coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe said: "It seems she has left her flat, more likely than not to put some rubbish out.

"Her door was locked and she was left on the landing without her keys, glasses or walking stick.

"She got slightly confused and she walked the length of the corridor to the fire door.

"As a result of the fall she sustained a head injury which has caused a bleed into her brain."

She recorded a verdict of accidental death.