Freak accident at home caused death of woman (52)

Mrs Fiona Watson (52) fell and trapped her head in the rafters of a loft while trying to get out of a room she had become inadvertently locked in.

Police initially treated the death as suspicious, and arrested a man but are now satisfied it was a tragic accident.

The accident occurred at The Stables, Old Trough Lane, Kelbrook, the home Mrs Watson shared with her husband Michael.

An inquest opening heard that Mrs Watson had become locked in a tack room being converted into living accommodation on the evening of Saturday, October 24th.

She texted her husband to alert him, but in the meantime placed a stool on top of a chest of drawers to gain access to the loft.

However, Mrs Watson then slipped which caused her to fall and trap her head in the rafters of the loft.

Mr Watson attempted to resuscitate her when he arrived and called paramedics who sadly pronounced her dead at 9-30pm.

Pathologist Dr Al-Mudhaffer’s post-mortem examination could not find a cause of death. He has requested toxicological tests to be carried out.

East Lancashire Coroner Mr Richard Taylor adjourned the inquest until February 2nd.