Mum who drank litre of brandy a day died after falling down stairs

A mum who was known to drink a litre of brandy or vodka a day died after falling down the stairs while in drink. Emma Lucy Cutting, of Padstow, was admitted to hospital with a swollen leg following a fall in March.

The 51-year-old was a known alcoholic who suffered from alcohol-related liver disease. An inquest was held today (Wednesday, November 27) at Cornwall's coroner's court in Truro to determine how she died.

Mike Jeffrey, gave a statement describing Ms Cutting as a very good friend who he had known since 2008. He said she would frequently stay with him. He said he knew her as an alcoholic and she would often drink a litre of brandy, vodka or other spirits in a day.

She stayed with him on March 2 and 3 and he described her as "inebriated". On March 6 he witnessed her fall in the lounge and noticed she had a bruise the following day which was blackening.

On March 8 Ms Cutting was admitted to Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. She was jaundiced with a painful, swollen right leg and told medical professionals she had fallen down the stairs.

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Dr Elizabeth Ramsay confirmed in a statement that Ms Cutting was deemed too high risk for surgery or treatment and was admitted to critical care on March 9. An end-of-life decision was soon taken due to Ms Cutting's liver disease making her unsuitable for treatment.

She was moved to palliative care and on March 11 it became clear she was dying and was not strong enough for treatment. The inquest heard how she had a long history of alcohol misuse and known liver disease which was diagnosed in 2020.

She was not known to We Are With You, Cornwall's drug and alcohol service. She had also not attended multiple hospital appointments made for her. Her recent medical history details several falls and hospital treatment.

Ms Cutting died in hospital surrounded by her loved ones on March 15, 2024. Concluding the inquest, Emma Hillson, assistant coroner for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said she died as a result of her accidental falls on the background of worsening alcohol-related liver disease and that due to her disease, she was not a suitable candidate for treatment.

She ruled it was a combination of both natural causes and an accident. A funeral notice for Ms Cutting following her death read: "On March 15, 2024. Peacefully at R.C.H Treliske. Emma, aged 51 Years of Padstow. Much loved Mum, Nanna, Daughter, Sister & Aunty will be missed by all her friends."

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