Harold Frank Elliott suffered a catastrophic injury to his back after the fall at his home in Ringwood Road last August.

The 78-year-old was rushed to Eastbourne District General Hospital but died the following day.

An inquest at Eastbourne heard this week how Hailsham-born Mr Elliott had drunk a pint of bitter at the Angling Club in Eastbourne and stopped off at a bakery to buy some food shortly before his death.

His wife, Janet Elliott, told the inquest her husband of 55 years had lived for his family and would do anything for anybody.

She said he had enjoyed pottering in his garden and had ridden his bicycle.

Mrs Elliott said she was upstairs when she heard a thud.

She added, "I went downstairs and he was sitting on the kitchen floor saying he couldn't move."

An ambulance rushed to the house and Mr Elliott was admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit with internal bleeding. He also had a head injury.

East Sussex coroner Alan Craze said, "He suffered a catastrophic back injury in the fall and it is my view it is this which caused his death."

He recorded a verdict of accidental death.

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