A retired retail manager died after a feeding tube was wrongly placed in his lung rather than his stomach, it has been claimed at an inquest.

Ronald Kemble, aged 81, of Acorn Road, Halesowen, died at Russells Hall Hospital in December 2007.

He had been rushed to the hospital in Dudley after his daughter Joanne Yale noticed he was struggling to breath when she visited him at Warrens Hall Nursing Home in Tividale.

A pathologist, called to give evidence at Smethwick Coroners Court today, told a jury Mr Kemble “would not have died when he did” if the feeding tube had not been incorrectly inserted into his right lung.

Home Office pathologist Dr Kenneth Shorrock said Mr Kemble was “not a well man” and was suffering from heart disease and had had a stroke weeks before.

However he told the court: “People like Mr Kemble can survive one year, two years, three years.

“He would not have died when he did had this not occurred.

This was a significant event which caused his death at that time.

Dr Shorrock added the feeding tube error had “tipped the balance”.

A post mortem examination had found Mr Kemble’s lungs were much heavier than a normal weight of 250g.

The inquest continues.