A MAN in his 80s died two months after being hospitalised with injuries sustained in a fall down steps in his garden, an inquest heard.

Lawrence Woodburn underwent emergency surgery after hitting his head and suffering brain haemorrhages and a skull fracture.

His condition deteriorated and he died in hospital on July 26 of this year.

The inquest heard Mr Woodburn, of Arnside, had been an accomplished highland dancer and a keen gardener and sailor.

He had been a member of the Coastguard and was commended for bravery on three occasions during his life.

He was born in Lancaster, attending the city's grammar school, and later trained to be an architect in Manchester. He would go on to set up his own business in this field.

He met wife Stephanie in Birmingham, where his work had taken him.

Mrs Woodburn said she and her husband bought a house at a complex in Lanzarote 30 years ago and that Mr Woodburn ended up serving as secretary and administrator of the complex.

"It was clear to me that this is a man who lived a very full and interesting life," said Robert Cohen, assistant coroner for Cumbria.

Mr Cohen concluded the 84-year-old's death was an accident. Mrs Woodburn agreed.

"Nobody saw it [the fall]," she told Cockermouth Coroner's Court.

"It's just one of those unfortunate things.

"His balance hadn't been too brilliant over the last couple of months - although he wouldn't admit it - and I think he just lost his balance."

The slip occurred on wet steps in the Woodburns' garden on May 28.

Mr Woodburn's consciousness level was found to be fluctuating when paramedics arrived. He was taken to Royal Preston Hospital and underwent surgery. He was transferred to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, where he later died, on June 17.

The inquest was told that, as a result of the brain injury he had suffered, Mr Woodburn lost his ability to swallow safely and had to be fed through a tube. He also developed pneumonia and a gallbladder infection while in hospital.

"His condition declined significantly over time until a point was reached where only palliative care could be provided," said Mr Cohen.