Blackburn woman died after falling down the stairs, inquest concludes

The inquest at Preston Coroners Court heard how Jacqueline Martindale, 57, from Blackburn, was found at the bottom of the stairs by her husband Paul after he returned to their home in Suffolk Street.

Mrs Martindale had been at the Navigation Inn pub with her husband and their friend on Sunday, November 27, and they were both out drinking.

She returned home alone in a taxi at around 7.20pm and was at the time described as “merry” by friend Chris Ball in a witness statement.

When Mr Martindale returned home at around 12.30am the following day, he found his wife lying at the bottom of the stairs with a significant head injury.

He called his brother-in-law, Dave Marston, who is the landlord of the pub they had been drinking in, and Mr Marston then phoned an ambulance.

Paramedics confirmed at 1.35am Mrs Martindale had died of her injuries.

A CT scan showed an extensive right-sided head injury with a skull fracture and a haemorrhage caused by traumatic head injury, which was the main cause of death.

A toxicology report showed ethanol levels in Mrs Martindale’s system were consistent with alcohol intoxication.

Coroner Chris Long, concluding the inquest, said: “The medical cause of death provided is entirely consistent with the circumstances, so I am satisfied it is an intercranial haemorrhage caused by traumatic head injury.

“There is nothing in the post-mortem report to suggest any medical episode which would explain any fall downstairs.

“In the circumstances, evidence suggests Mrs Martindale fell down the stairs accidentally.

“Mrs Martindale was found deceased on Monday, November 28, 2022, at her home address in Suffolk Street, Blackburn. She was found at the bottom of the stairs having probably fallen down them.

“She died of an intercranial haemorrhage caused by the fall. I record a conclusion of accident.”

Mr Long passed on his condolences to Mrs Martindale’s friend and family before closing the inquest.