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Poor vision may have contributed to fatal fall

A verdict of accidental death has been recorded at an inquest into the death of a Birmingham man.

Evidence showed 75-year-old Roy Smith was visiting the Island with his wife in September, and the couple were staying with her sister in Port Erin.

In the early hours of Tuesday, September 14, Mr Smith got up to go to the bathroom, and fell down the stairs.

Evidence showed he broke his ribs, sternum and back and was struggling to breathe.

His condition deteriorated and he died from his injuries a week later in the Intensive Therapy unit at Noble's Hospital.

Mr Smith's wife said her husband had poor vision and was blind in his right eye, which may have contributed to the accident.

Coroner Alastair Montgomerie concluded Mr Smith fell down the stairs because he was disoriented in unfamiliar surroundings.



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