THE death of a former weaver and tackler was accidental, a coroner’s court ruled.

Jack Yates contracted pneumonia after falling at his home in Hereford Close, Accrington, and being taken to hospital.

Blackburn Coroner’s Court heard the 79-year-old suffered from lung and heart diseases, which made it easier for the killer infection to take hold.

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He had been admitted to Royal Blackburn Hospital on March 18 after falling in his bedroom.

A CT scan of Mr Yates’ brain carried out on the same day did not show any bleed, although a later scan did.

Pathologist Dr Richard Prescott said the bleed was spontaneous and caused by high blood pressure.

The court heard Mr Yates had suffered an undiagnosed stroke, causing him to fall three times in six months, including in January when he fell on ice and hit his head.

He died in the early hours of April 6 after his condition deteriorated.

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of accidental death, and said the cause was ‘bronchopneumonia due to a subdural haematoma due to a head injury’.