A verdict of accidental death has been returned at the inquest of a man who died after falling down stairs at Roscommon University Hospital in November 2018.
The inquest into the death of Tadhg O'Rorke, of Clover Lodge, Killinure, Glasson, heard he died from an extensive traumatic head injury.
The 72-year-old was admitted to the hospital on November 26th after concerns over his declining health and a possible neurological problem. He was given a series of medical tests and was an in-patient when the incident occurred.
The inquest at Roscommon Coroner's Court heard that on November 29th, staff and doctors rushed to a stairway near St Coman's Ward after members of the senior management team heard a loud bang just before midday.
CCTV footage played to the jury appeared to suggest that Mr O'Rorke fell five steps on the first floor stairs near the ward, and when found, he was unresponsive, with his eyes open, lying on his back.
He was given urgent medical treatment but a CT scan showed a large skull fracture.
It was decided to prepare him to be transferred to Beaumont or Galway University hospitals for urgent specialist treatment but his condition deteriorated throughout the day.
It was agreed with his family that due to the nature of his injuries, he would be given end of life care at Roscommon University Hospital and he subsequently died at 4am on November 30th
A post mortem showed that Mr O'Rorke died as a result of severe head injuries, including a triple skull fracture and bleeding on the surface of the brain.
A medical expert at Beaumont hospital, who carried out tests on Mr O'Rorke's brain and spinal cord, claimed that cerebellum deterioration could have contributed to his fall if it made him unsteady or ataxic, but number of other conditions, including motor neuron disease, were ruled out.
The jury returned a verdict of accidental death according to the medical evidence.
The inquest hard that High Court proceedings have been issued and sympathies were expressed to the O'Rorke family from the jury, coroner, the gardaí and on behalf of Roscommon University Hospital
