A PENSIONER who tripped over a footstool while closing her curtains and broke both her arms died in hospital, an inquest was told.

Elsie May Greenhalgh, aged 82, died in Fairfield General Hospital from pneumonia due to immobility.

Her son, Keith Greenhalgh, of Rhine Close, Tottington, told Bury District Coroner Barrie Williams that he found his mother lying on the floor in her flat in Ormrod Street, Bury, last October.

She told him she had fallen while trying to close the curtains in the dark.

Mr Williams said: "It is not unknown for people of that generation not to put the lights on until after they close the curtains. It is a matter of security for them."

The inquest was told Mrs Greenhalgh appeared to make progress in hospital for three weeks after the fall.

When she died, Mr Greenhalgh said he was surprised.

He said the treatment she had received from the paramedics and hospital staff had been absolutely superb.

Mr Williams recorded a verdict of accidental death and said Mrs Greenhalgh's immobility had made her susceptible to infection.