A PENSIONER found unconscious after falling downstairs died from a head injury, an inquest heard.

Mrs Edna Tattersall, 79, may have lost her footing before the accident at her home in Cowgill Street, Earby, the hearing at Burnley Magistrates Court was told. She died in Burnley General Hospital last Wednesday.

A post mortem examination revealed Mrs Tattersall, who had suffered from dementia for some time, had a large area of haemorrhage on her scalp and a linear fracture. Pathologist Dr Abdul Al-Dawoud said in a statement she died from a head injury and East Lancs Coroner David Smith recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Mrs Tattersall's husband Charles, who looked after her, said her confusion had been getting much worse and he could not have a conversation with her.