Tragedy of grieving widow, 49, who told doctor 'it feels too much'

A grieving widow told her doctor "it feels too much" before taking her late husband's medication, an inquest heard.

Margaret Bamford was found unconscious at her home in Blackburn on the afternoon of August 9 this year by her friend John. The 49-year-old had a history of depression and in March had told her GP that she didn't feel she "had any purpose in life" after the loss of her husband around 12 months earlier.

Margaret, who was born in Chorley, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Blackburn Hospital. Despite showing some "movement and eye-opening" tests revealed she had suffered a severe hypoxic brain injury due to loss of oxygen.

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The following day, doctors reduced Margaret's sedation, to see if she would regain consciousness, but she showed no signs of waking up.

An inquest held today (Tuesday November 12) at Preston Coroner's Court heard a statement from Medical Examiner David Watson who said: "Treatment was withdrawn in the hope that as the drugs she had taken were eliminated from her body she would wake up."

Two days later, on August 12, Margaret's movements had become less frequent. "It became increasingly apparent that she had suffered irreversible brain damage," Mr Watson added.

Further tests on August 14 and August 15 confirmed Margaret had suffered severe encephalitis which causes the brain to become inflamed. Treatment was withdrawn and Margaret died at 9.50pm on August 15.

Assistant Coroner Laura Fox returned a narrative conclusion and said: "I do not find there is sufficient evidence to suggest that Margaret set about intentionally taking her own life."