A PENSIONER who treasured her independence died after falling and breaking her leg at Burnley General Hospital, an inquest heard.

Nora Lowes, 90, of Netherfield Road, Nelson, was admitted to the hospital in October last year with a history of confusion and falling.

She collapsed while making her way back to her bed unaided.

Ward manager Mary Denney told the inquest: "Mrs Lowes set off from the bed to go to the bathroom and she got to the door assisted by an auxiliary nurse. She was told to buzz for help when she had finished but she had set off back on her own when she fell over.

"A nurse called for assistance and she was helped back to bed and examined by the on-call doctor and given pain relief."

The inquest heard the fall resulted in a fractured femur which developed into bronchial pneumonia, causing Mrs Lowes' death.

Acting East Lancashire Coroner Richard Taylor recorded a verdict of accidental death and said: "It appears to me that despite her 90 years she wanted to be independent. Sadly, as a result of that, she fell which led to the fracture and infection."