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Hospital Hazard: Woman's Fatal Fall Outside Bristol Heart Institute
17 Jan
Summary
- A woman died after tripping on a protruding bollard flap outside a hospital.
- The fall resulted in a head injury and broken hip, contributing to her death.
- The hospital admitted the area had not undergone a health and safety assessment.
A fatal fall outside the Bristol Heart Institute, caused by a protruding bollard flap, has been ruled an accident by a coroner. Lorna Loxton, 55, who lived with myotonic dystrophy, tripped on the hazard in January 2025, sustaining a head injury and broken hip. She passed away in hospital three weeks later.
Her children expressed devastation, calling the defect a 'tragedy waiting to happen' and criticizing the NHS trust for admitting the area lacked a health and safety risk assessment. They emphasized their mother's struggle with her condition and her desire for independence, making the undignified fall even more heartbreaking.
The University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust stated they have investigated the incident and are now checking the metal flaps monthly for security. The trust offered heartfelt condolences to Loxton's family, acknowledging the need for thorough risk assessments in healthcare settings.
