Ronald Gray, of Highfield, Field Dalling, near Holt, had gone into the garden at his home on the morning of December 20 last year when he lost his footing and fell.

His daughter, Lorraine Gray, who lived with him, said she had been getting ready when she heard a bang outside shortly before 11am.

Speaking to an officer from Norfolk Coroner’s Court, she said: “It looked like he’d gone out to a bin to put something in it and lost his balance as he stepped off the pavement. He’d fallen backwards onto the concrete path.”

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

A neighbour came to help and an ambulance was called, but Mr Gray was left waiting outside for about an hour on the cold December day before he was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital (N&N).

An inquest at the court heard Mr Gray, who had been born on April 10, 1936, in Field Dalling, had been relatively well and active for his age.

A widower, he had worked as a cleansing operative before his retirement.

After being taken to hospital, he was found to have suffered a fractured hip. However, surgery was delayed after doctors identified a serious heart condition.

The procedure, which should normally take place within 48 hours, was carried out on December 23 and by this time he was considered a “high-risk” patient.

Johanna Thompson, area coroner for Norfolk. (Image: Norfolk Coroner's Court)

Area coroner Johanna Thompson said Mr Gray suffered a heart attack soon after arriving at hospital and had to be "medically optimised” for surgery, but he did not recover afterwards and was placed on palliative care.

He died on December 24.

His medical cause of death was given as a heart attack and fractured neck of femur, with underlying ischemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation.

Ms Thompson recorded a conclusion of “natural causes contributed to by an accidental fall”.

Mr Gray was the widower of Eileen Gray, a former local government officer.

© Eastern Daily Press