Sir Bobby Charlton died after an accidental fall in a nursing home where he was receiving respite care for dementia, a coroner has ruled.
The Manchester United legend died at the age of 86 in Macclesfield General Hospital on October 25.
At Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington on Wednesday, an inquest heard Sir Bobby was living in The Willows, a nursing home in Knutford caring for patients with dementia.
His widow, Lady Norma Charlton, said the England 1966 World Cup winner had been receiving respite care at the nursing home since July.
Senior coroner for Cheshire Jacqueline Devonish heard Sir Bobby fell on October 16 after losing his balance when he stood up from his chair.
He struck a windowsill as he fell, the court heard, and may also have hit a radiator as well.
The Warrington Guardian reported that Sir Bobby was “unsteady on his feet, especially when standing from a seated position” as a result of dementia.
Staff at the nursing home could not prevent the fall but carried out a full body check in the aftermath, the inquest was told.
Sir Bobby's mobility was recorded as being unaffected, but later on swelling was found on his back.
He was taken to hospital for scans, and it was found he had fractured ribs and was at risk of developing pneumonia.
The newspaper reported that Sir Bobby had an extensive medical history, including an appendix removal, gout, a urine infection, chest infections, and the ex-England forward had also contracted Covid-19 in September this year.
He was receiving one-to-one 24-hour support from care home staff, as he “needed support with all aspects of daily living”.
The coroner concluded Sir Bobby’s death had been accidental. The causes of death were recorded as a traumatic haemopneumothorax – blood and air collecting around the lungs – a fall, and his dementia.
