Councillor death was causes by fall

A well-respected and long-serving Cannock Chase councillor died as a result of brain damage caused by a fall, an inquest has heard.

Brian Faulkner, aged 66, of Pye Green Road, Cannock, was the cabinet member for health on the council at the time of his death, at Cannock Chase Hospital on July 24 last year.

Dr Valerie Suarez, consultant pathologist, told Cannock Coroner's Court that the cause of his death was bronchial pneumonia or chest infection, due to a cerebral haemotoma or bruising caused by a fall.

South Staffordshire Coroner Andrew Haigh recorded a verdict of accidental death.

The court heard how the Conservative councillor first fell on June 16 and was admitted to Stafford Hospital with head injuries.

Hospital scans showed bruises or haemotoma to large parts of his brain and he was discharged to recover, but he was readmitted twice after collapsing again.

The first readmission was on July 6 after he collapsed in Cannock but scans showed there was no new damage and the damage caused by the first fall was resolving, which was causing the brain to swell.

He was readmitted again almost immediately after being discharged and transferred to Cannock Hospital for monitoring, where his condition deteriorated.

Dr Suarez said the chest infection was caused by the brain damage suffered during the initial fall which affected his gag reflex, so bacteria in his stomach was able to move into his lungs.

Mr Haigh said: "He was a gentleman who had a history of quite large alcohol consumption, but there is no evidence to show he was suffering any disease related to that. He was inclined to fall.

"Having heard the evidence, I am satisfied in the balance of probability that this death is linked with the initial fall that he had sustaining the head injury and that the fall was an accident."

The seasoned politician had been involved in Cannock Chase politics since the 1960s and most recently returned to the district council in 2005. He was also on Staffordshire County Council.

At the hearing, his sister Wendy Yates praised staff at Cannock Chase Hospital.

She said: "I have to say the care at the hospital was very, very outstanding. He was immediately more comfortable and more settled because he was confused.

"I will always be grateful for the care he was given."