Edward Elliot
A 91-YEAR-OLD man, who had a history of falls, died after he tumbled into the road and was run over by a bus, an inquest heard.
James Pitchley, of Manor Park Drive, Sheffield, fell under a wheel of the 25A bus in Charter Row, Sheffield, on Friday, May 6 last year and suffered a number of injuries, including a broken upper arm, before he died five days later.
A statement from Dr Thornton, Mr Pitchley’s GP, said his patient had had several falls at his home due to his age and poor control of his type 2 diabetes.
The inquest heard that Mr Pitchley had just got off the bus, which connects Woodhouse to Bradway, at around 12.35pm. He then lost his footing and fell against the side of the vehicle, which drove over his left arm as it pulled away.
Craig Waldron, the driver of the First-operated bus, said: “There was a slight bump and a shriek; a split second between the two.
“A gentleman was lying face down with his hand above his head and his legs on the pavement.”
Police told the inquest that the vehicle was in good working order and its condition had not contributed to Mr Pitchley’s fall.
Bus passenger Neil Storey, who witnessed events from his seat, said in a statement: “He was leaning on the walking stick. He wobbled and toppled into the side of the bus.
“There was no one near the male at the time - it just looked like he lost his balance.”
A statement from Thomas Ashman, a student, who also witnessed the incident, described Mr Pitchley as being “conscious but in a lot of pain and shock.”
Mr Pitchley, a retired lorry driver who was originally from Southwark, was taken to the Northern General Hospital in the city following the incident but died of a fat embolus brought on by his injuries.
Assistant Deputy Coroner, Donald Coutts-Wood recorded a verdict of accidental death, in front of Mr Pitchley’s sons, Melvin and James, at the Medico-legal centre on Tuesday, January 3.
Mr Coutts-Wood described the outcome of the accident as “desperately unfortunate.”