A 63-YEAR-OLD golfer died two weeks after breaking a leg in a freak accident while playing in a seniors competition.

An inquest heard that James David Scott fell into a 2ft-deep hollow after the ground gave way under him as he teed up a shot. After being helped off the course he told golfing friend Craig Halliwell to go and finish his game and he got his wife to take him to hospital.

Mr Scott, known as David, of Kingsway, Great Harwood, had his leg put in plaster but two weeks later he died of pulmonary embolism as a result of deep vein thrombosis. Pathologist Dr Richard Prescott told the hearing that inactivity due to the fracture led to the blood clot forming.

James Green of Harwood Lane, Great Harwood, was partnering Mr Scott at Rishton Golf Club and they were playing the third hole. The two men had driven off and set off to their respective balls. As Mr Green got to his ball he looked back but could not see Mr Scott. He found him lying on his back in a hollow in the fairway.

He and other players helped Mr Scott back to the club house.

Hilary Scott, a nurse, said that while they were waiting for an appointment to come back at Blackburn Royal Infirmary her husband appeared to have a convulsion and he appeared to have stopped breathing. The doctors blamed shock and two hours later said Mr Scott could go home. But as he got off the bed he appeared to faint and was kept in overnight.

Mrs Scott said her husband found the plaster heavy when he was on crutches. Two weeks after the accident he was in bed when he stopped breathing, and he never regained consciousness.

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of accidental death.