AN ELDERLY man died from injuries sustained after falling down the stairs at his home, an inquest heard.

Derrick Thomas Russell, aged 90, fell at his Tillington home on October 2 suffering a 'chest trauma' and died 12 days later in hospital.

Deputy coroner for Herefordshire Roland Wooderson reached a verdict of accidental death at an inquest held at Hereford Town Hall on Wednesday.

"It is quite clear that despite Mr Russell having a number of health difficulties he remained extremely active," concluded Mr Wooderson.

"Even though he was 90 years old he still worked on the family farm pruning fruit trees. Despite that sadly on the day recorded Mr Russell had a fall. As a result of that fall it was necessary for Mr Russell to be taken to hospital for treatment. It is clear to me that he was treated and at one stage he was not in a too bad position.

"Sadly he deteriorated and passed away that day."

The inquest heard that on October 2 Mr Russell's wife, Margaret Russell found him lying at the bottom of the stairs after hearing a bang at 6am.

Mr Russell had suffered a minor head injury and a rib fracture and was admitted to Hereford County Hospital.

Due to his 'poor prognosis' a request for him to be transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham wasn't accepted.

Dr Matthew Oakley, from Hereford County Hospital said that Mr Russell was examined on a daily basis and was 'relatively stable'.

However, on October 14, Mr Russell started to deteriorate and passed away.

Mr Wooderson concluded that Mr Russell died from pneumonia and haemothorax as a result of chest injuries sustained in the fall.