A MAN registered blind for 40 years was found with severe skull and facial injuries at the bottom of the stairs, a Bolton inquest has been told.

Mr Hirji Gangji, aged 80, never regained consciousness and died in intensive care at the Royal Bolton Hospital on June 2.

Coroner, Mrs Jennifer Leeming heard how Indian-born Mr Gangji settled in Filton Street, Bolton, in 1972 after moving from Mombassa where he had worked as a site engineer.

He lost his vision after being diagnosed with glaucoma the court was told.

Mr Gangji, a widower, was staying with his son at Lever Edge Lane, Bolton.

A deeply religious man, he had gone to bed to meditate but at 11pm, his grandaughter heard a sound on the stairs and woke the family.

They found Mr Gangji unconscious and called for an ambulance.

A pathologist said the cause of death was from multiple injuries but said that she was unable to say what had caused Mr Gangji to fall.

His family told the coroner that they believed he had been confused and taken a wrong turning on the landing causing him to fall down the stairs.

Mrs Leeming recorded a verdict of accidental death.