John Todrayner, 84, died at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital (N&N) in the early hours of August 27 last year after suffering a massive haemorrhage caused by a ruptured spleen.

Norfolk Coroner’s Court heard Mr Todrayner’s health had begun to decline in November 2024, when he started experiencing frequent falls at his home and required several hospital stays.

His daughter said that after another fall in May 2025 he finally agreed it was time to move into a care home.

He was admitted to Halvergate House nursing home in North Walsham on May 29 after a hospital stay earlier that month.

The move held special significance for him and his family as his in-laws had owned the home during the 1980s before it was converted into a care home.

Norfolk Coroner's Court, at County Hall in Norwich. (Image: Newsquest)

Care home manager Natasha Canham said: “The setting therefore held fond memories for him and may have provided a sense of comfort and belonging.”

On the night of August 20 staff found Mr Todrayner on the floor of his room at around 9.50pm. He reported no pain and, after being checked over, was helped back into bed.

He declined an offer to call NHS 111, saying he felt well and did not want further intervention.

His daughter visited him on August 25 and said he was “in fine spirits”.

However, staff noticed a sudden decline in his condition on the night of August 26 and called an ambulance.

He was taken to the N&N complaining of abdominal pain but deteriorated and died at 5.52am the following morning.

Assistant coroner Robin Weyell concluded he “died from acute intraperitoneal haemorrhage secondary to a rupture of his spleen".

He added: “On the balance of probabilities, I find the injury to his spleen occurred during one of his falls."

© Eastern Daily Press