A MAN from Prestatyn who died after a fall at home had not undergone a great deal of suffering, an inquest heard.
Jonathan Huw Mitcheson, of Llys Esgob Morgan, St Asaph, died aged 60 at his home on June 14, 2024.
At the inquest into his death, held in Ruthin on October 4, John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, ruled it had been an accidental death.
Mr Mitcheson was born in Prestatyn on May 28, 1964, and was one of three siblings.
He was educated locally, going on to study at Sussex University before becoming a teacher – teaching English in both the UK and abroad.
Mr Mitcheson had had a stroke some years before his death, which had left him in some difficulty and also resulted in a diagnosis of post-stroke epilepsy.
He lived in St Asaph in his final years, and underwent an INR scan the day before his death, which determined his blood was “too thin” should he begin bleeding.
On June 14, he was described by his sister as “very happy”, but fell in his bedroom at around 9pm, after which neighbours said he was “in a lot of pain in the chest and rib area”.
He was talking to two attending neighbours, but was tired and wished to sleep.
Neighbours called for an ambulance at around 9.20pm, but he was “quiet” close to 10pm and had by then stopped breathing.
An ambulance team arrived before midnight, with Mr Mitcheson pronounced dead at 11.56pm.
Dr Chloe Durrell, a pathologist at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, said numerous bruises were found to Mr Mitcheson’s abdomen, hip, knee, arms, hands and head, suggestive of previous falls.
Bruising was found on his lungs, with one lung perforated, and fractures to ribs and a disrupted chest cavity were also noted.
Dr Durrell gave a medical cause of death of a chest injury as a result of a fall, with contributing stroke and bronchopneumonia.
Mr Gittins concluded that a “perfect storm” had lead to Mr Mitcheson’s death, and added: “My condolences on the death of this gentleman.
“He had clearly been struggling for a little while but I don’t believe there would have been a great deal of suffering.
“I hope that is of some comfort to you as a family.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here