FEARS that an injection contributed to the death of an 80-year-old Blackburn woman were dispelled by an inquest.

The hearing was told that Monica Cartmell deteriorated suddenly after being given the injection of morphine causing her daughter to wonder if there was a link.

But pathologist Dr Mark Sissons told the inquest Mrs Cartmell died of a ruptured aortic aneurysm which would have caused the sudden and eventually fatal deterioration.

And he said the level of morphine found in Mrs Cartmell's blood would have played no part in her death.

Jean Walker said she had accompanied her mother to hospital after she collapsed at Springfield Nursing Home, Preston New Road, Blackburn, where she had been living.

Hospital staff suspected an aortic aneurysm but could not operate because of her frailty.

"She was given two injections and within 15 minutes there was no communicating with her," said Mrs Walker.

"By the time they got her to the ward she was near to her last breath. I felt that those injections helped her on her way."

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of natural causes.