Stanley amputee, 75, died after falling from his wheelchair trying to cross the A693

A general view image of the exterior of University Hospital of North Durham
-Credit:Craig Connor/ChronicleLive


A Stanley pensioner who had previously lost a leg in a motorbike accident died in hospital weeks after falling from his wheelchair trying to cross the A693.

Barry Lumsden, 75, died on September 22 last year, three weeks on from the incident which came as he tried to cross the road in his wheelchair. A coroner said this had been "the straw that broke the camel's back".

At an inquest at Crook Coroner's Court on Monday, assistant coroner Simon Connolly ruled formally that Mr Lumsden's death had been an accident. Mr Connolly found that the multiple hip fractures the former haulage repair worker suffered led to his hospital stay and he then developed broncho-pneumonia which killed him. He also had heart failure, the inquest heard.

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The hearing heard how Mr Lumsden, who lived to the south of the A693, would go out in his wheelchair a few times a week. At the inquest, a statement from his wife Linda was read to the court. She paid tribute to her husband of 53 years.

The assistant coroner read her statement, saying: "Linda told me how Barry was a tough gentleman. A stubborn and independent man with a strong sense of humour. He was extremely kind and loved to do DIY and gardening not only for himself but also for others.

"He had been married for 53 years and had two children, two grandchildren and a great-grandchild on whom Barry doted on. He was incredibly strong, physically and mentally and he loved going out on his motorbike. [on which] he was unfortunately involved in an accident in 2019 when when he was airlifted to the RVI. That resulted in his right leg amputation.

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"But he recovered well and it was amazing how well he turned things around. When he came out of hospital he was still mobile and built his strength back up."

After around six months in hospital, Barry returned home and his care needs reduced as he regained his strength and independence. His fall happened around five years later. Wife Linda also recalled how a neighbour who had witnessed Barry's fall told them what had happened.

In her statement she said: "When he returned home Barry had said how a child had run out in front of him, and he had stopped suddenly, and this resulted in his falling out. The neighbour told you he had seen Barry crossing the road in his wheelchair. He reported how Barry had hit the kerb with his wheelchair and the wheelchair tipped.

"A member of the public helped Barry up, and Barry had been asking for his belongings back. He said he would manage and he carried on. He was a very strong and stubborn man and wouldn't have wanted to make a fuss.

"When he got home I asked him what happened. Then I accidentally brushed his wheelchair and he cried out in pain. I called an ambulance."

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Barry had previously experienced a range of health conditions including cancer and COPD - but at the time of his death, his family said he had been well.

Wife Linda told the court: "Before he went out that day, he had been absolutely fine. If he had been ill in any way like that I wouldn't have let him out, as his carer."

Granddaughter Charissa Lumsden added: "He had a lot of conditions but you would never have known."

In hospital, the court heard how after around four days on an orthopaedic ward he was transferred to a specialist cardiac care ward at University Hospital of North Durham, as his clinical condition continued to deteriorate. A statement from consultant Dr Ali Ghanbasha was read in court, in which the senior medic recalled how despite actively treating Barry's symptoms, there was little improvement.

Coroner Mr Connolly added: "While Barry sadly died of the broncho-pneumonia - and this was a natural disease process - he did not really develop this naturally as others might. He developed it because he was in hospital and he was in hospital because of the incident on August 31.

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"So we have to consider that. There seems to be an acceptance on the part of the family that what the neighbour told them is what happened, It all goes back to that event on the 31st."

He added: "He had clearly been through a lot in his life. It just seems like what happened on the 31st was just the straw that broke the camel's back. It's very sad."

In his formal findings, the coroner said: "Barry is described as tough and stubborn, but humorous - and also extremely kind, with his love for gardening and DIY. The accident in 2019 resulted in his right leg amputation which left Barry wheelchair-bound. I find that Barry fell from his wheelchair while attempting to cross the A693 at Stanley.

"A palliative approach to Barry's management was eventually agreed with Barry's family members due to the lack of improvement in Barry's clinical condition. There was some discussion about discharging Barry to his home address. However around that time Barry continued to deteriorate and he died peacefully on September 22 at 13.25pm.

"Barry died on September 22 at University Hospital of North Durham where he had been admitted on August 31 following a fall from his wheelchair which resulted in multiple fracture injuries which were conservatively managed. His injuries rendered him immobile in hospital which led to the development of the broncho-pneumonia which would take his life.

"My conclusion is that Barry's death was attributable to an accident. It sounds like he was quite some man."