A WOMAN died after falling and hitting her head while on a shopping centre escalator, an inquest heard.

Joan Padgett, 77, of Bankfield, Barrowford, died in hospital the day after the incident at the Pendle Rise shopping centre in Nelson.

An inquest at Burnley Magistrates Court yesterday heard how Mrs Padgett had visited the shopping centre with her husband, Alan, on December 12 last year.

A statement from Mr Padgett said his wife had been very poorly after being diagnosed with cancer and had been having a difficult time as she had been told no surgery was available.

He said: “On the day in quest-ion she told me she felt well enough to go on the shopping trip.

“We left the car park on level one and then we separated.

“I was going to one shop and she was going down a level by the escalator to look for a head scarf.”

Mr Padgett said a short time later he heard noise and a commotion and was then asked for by name by shoppers who directed him to where his wife lay.

Mrs Padgett was taken to the Blackburn Royal Hospital where she was treated for head injuries but did not regain consciousness.

She left sons Edward and Colin and grandchildren Adam, Kelsey, Ryan, Henry and Abigail.

Mr Padgett said he felt his wife may have overbalanced on the escalator after becoming dizzy as a result of her treatment and medication.

The cause of death was given as head trauma.

East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor recorded a verdict of accidental death.