Retired teacher died after fall

6:37pm Thursday 28th February 2008

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AN 87-year-old retired teacher died after surgery to repair a fractured hip.

An inquest in Blackburn heard that Great Harwood-born Muriel Annie Williams suffered the fracture in a fall at home and raised the alarm after dragging herself back to the phone and calling a neighbour.

Mrs Williams, of Branch Road, Mellor Brook, was taken to hospital and underwent a hip screw operation five days later on October 17. She died four days later.

Norman Olive, her cousin, said Mrs Williams had taught all her life, for more than 30 years at Intack Primary School. She was married to Idris Williams, a head teacher.

The medical cause of death was given as bronchopneumonia due to a fractured neck of femur, and coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of accidental death.