A CORONER has recorded an open verdict at the inquest into the death of a Stourport woman who had a history of falls and heavy alcohol use.

Christina Fletcher, 62, of Burlish Close, died on December 13 at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

She had been admitted to the hospital eight hours earlier after falling at home in the early hours of the morning, coroner Victor Round said.

Her husband, Gordon, had heard her fall but not seen the incident. He had picked her up and put her back to bed. Although she had been drowsy this had not concerned him at the time.

Later, however, he had called the ambulance when he found his wife had been sick, was making heavy breathing noises and also seemed drowsy.

Mr Hughes said that although Mrs Hughes had had a number of recent falls he had not been aware she had hurt her head.

Mr Round said the cause of death, given as an acute on chronic subdural haematoma and multiple intra cerebral haemorrhages and sub arachnoid haemorrhage following a series of falls, was complicated.

He said this meant Mrs Hughes had died as a result of a combination of natural problems inside her head and unnatural trauma-related problems.

Because there was very little history relating to head injuries, Mr Round concluded, although she had had a series of falls, it was not clear how far the cause of death was due to natural or unnatural causes and he, therefore, returned an open verdict.

"This is not because there are suspicious circumstances but because I don't know enough to say how she sustained the injuries", said Mr Round.