Ex-lorry driver had heart attack (From Gazette & Herald)

Ex-lorry driver had heart attack

7:56pm Tuesday 29th January 2008

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A RETIRED long distance lorry driver died after falling from a ladder while working on trees on land near Newton-upon-Rawcliffe, an inquest at Norton was told yesterday.

But North Yorkshire East Coroner Michael Oakley was told in medical reports that George Outhart, 75, of The Chase, Norton, had probably suffered a heart attack which caused him to fall.

He hit his head on a piece of wood, his brother John said in a statement. His brother had been cutting branches on a tree when he fell on November 26 last year. He died the following day in Scarborough Hospital without regaining consciousness..

Medical evidence was given that Mr Outhart had died from a coronary artery, fractured skull and a haemorrhage but, said Mr Oakley, evidence showed that Mr Outhart had put his hands in the air seconds before he fell, indicating that he had probably suffered a heart attack.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.

*A Snainton man who had worked on ships removing asbestos lagging to enable repairs to be carried out to the vessels during a 10-year period in the 1960s, died from an industrial disease, Mr Oakley decided when he gave his verdict on the death of Colin Hardy, 63, of Station Road, Snainton.

Mr Hardy had given a statement before his death outlining his involvement with asbestos and the fact that he was not protected when exposed to it.

*A verdict of accidental death was recorded on Leslie Steward, 59, of Grape Lane, Whitby, who choked on food while having lunch with friends at the town's Missions to Seamen café on the harbourside. Evidence was given that Mr Steward had choked on a bacon sandwich and despite desperate attempts to revive him by his friends and staff, he died later in hospital.

*A 73-year-old man died after falling down stairs at his home. A verdict of accidental death was recorded on Victor Wright, of Eastern Road, Bridlington, who died from a ruptured spleen and other complications.

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