THE INQUEST has opened into the death of a Ferndown man who tested positive for coronavirus in the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

William Alan Neal, 79, died on March 25 in hospital from Covid-19, coroner Brendan Allan told the inquest.

Mr Neal, who lived in Beaufoys Avenue, Ferndown, was admitted to Southampton Hospital for a lobectomy procedure on March 4.

The retired taxi driver was transferred to RBH on March 21 and had a right vocal cord flutter bag fitted for an ongoing respiratory assessment.

Mr Neal was tested for Covid-19 which was positive, and died from the virus on March 25 with underlying health conditions from an open right upper lobectomy.

The inquest has been adjourned until October 20, as the coroner’s court waits for statements from the family and health workers.