A NARRATIVE verdict was recorded at an inquest into the death of a Sabden woman after investigations brought "more questions than answers".

Dilys Wood, 69, of Lamb Road, Sabden, died in Blackburn Royal Infirmary after suffering from multi-organ failure.

The retired secretary had been seeing her doctor for months complaining of abdominal pains, the inquest was told.

She had received a catalogue of tests which were returned with negative results and she had decided on exploratory surgery.

Mrs Wood suffered from irritable bowel syndrome and escemia of the bowel but was not responding to any treatment, the inquest was told.

She had an exploratory laparotomy at Beardwood Hospital where nothing additional was found. She was transferred to intensive care at the Infirmary. Doctors repeated the operation numerous times to check there were no other underlying conditions causing her pain, but nothing was found, the inquest heard.

From then on her condition deteriorated, and she died on May 9.

A post mortem examination did not find anything further and it was unable to determine whether her organs failed because of the natural bowel disease already taking place or whether the surgery disturbed the bowel which quickened the process.

Coroner Michael Singleton said: "I'm sorry that this has brought about more questions than answers. It is frustrating."

Her husband, John added: "I did expect something like this. I was kept very well informed all the way through."