A pensioner died hours after security staff removed him from a Black Country hospital and left him at a bus stop in the early hours of the morning, an inquest heard.

Guards from Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley put 73-year-old Mohammed Yasin in a wheelchair, took him to the bus stop and left him there at 1am on November 6 last year.

More than four hours later Mr Yasin was found by the roadside. He was dead by the time he was returned to Russells Hall.

Black Country coroner Robin Balmain recorded an open verdict yesterday, adding: “We must remember that Russells Hall is an acute hospital, it is not some sort of hostel or social service.”

The hearing was told that Mr Yasin, of Crabbe Street, Lye, had earlier refused treatment and staff discharged him.

He had been taken to the hospital after being found intoxicated outside The Bulls Tavern, Lye.

Registrar Dr David Raven told the hearing: “When I told the nursing staff to discharge the patient I would have assumed a taxi would be called or another method found.”

Russells Hall chief executive Paula Clarke today gave her sympathy to the family of Mr Yasin. She added: “We welcome the coroner’s verdict in this sad case.”