A pensioner who lived all his life in Carlisle died after falling down the stairs in his home.

Findlay Stirling, 74, was found deceased on September 14, 2021, at Arnside Road, after a neighbour raised concerns.

At an inquest in Cockermouth on Tuesday, assistant coroner Margaret Taylor heard Mr Stirling had lived in Harraby all his life.

He had one sibling, Margaret, who he was very close to up until her death the previous year. His main family contact was then his niece, Amy Pipe.

"Since my mum's death we had daily contact," she said. He was a "little introverted" and worked for British Railway up until his retirement. He was always interested in trains, also social history and quizzes, said Ms Pipe.

He had been quite a heavy smoker and drinker in the past but became teetotal and gave up smoking in later years, she said.

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The inquest heard Mr Stirling suffered from angina and shortly before his death he had a spell in the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, with breathing and heart problems. He had also been sleep walking, said Ms Pipe.

"He was happy to be home with his cats," she said.

A few days later she was unable to contact him. A neighbour contacted police when she also had concerns and they forced entry. Mr Stirling was found at the bottom of the stairs.

A post mortem found multiple injuries consistent with a fall. There was also evidence of significant underlying heart disease.

A cardiac event could have given rise to the fall but there is no specific evidence, said the pathologist.

He gave the medical cause of death as chest injuries and noted an existing condition that does not directly relate to death - ischaemic hypertensive heart disease.

Ms Taylor said: "I have heard evidence from his niece. He was very close to his sister and after she died his niece became the main family contact.

"He was introverted but had enjoyed working life with British Rail prior to retirement."

She concluded his death was the result of an accident.

"It's clear from the evidence that very sadly Frederick died as a consequence of an accident.

"He had suffered significant injuries as a consequence of a fall and these related directly to his death," said Ms Taylor.

"We will never know whether he had been sleep walking or if he had some sort of cardiac problem which caused him to fall."

She offered her condolences to Ms Pipe.

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