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Inquest conclusions

Date of inquest Date inquest concluded Name of deceased Conclusion
13/08/2026 13/08/2026 HILLMAN, Neil Jack Mr Neil Jack HILLMAN died on the 17th December 2025 in Blackburn Hospital from complications arising from an angiogram procedure performed on the 12th November 2025 to revascularize the circulation to his left lower limb. Following the index procedure, Mr HILLMAN reattended hospital on the 23rd November 2025 and there was a delay in recognising the infected right groin pseudoaneurysm and taking him to theatre. Mr HILLMAN suffered a major haemorrhage which would have otherwise been avoided and this materially contributed to his death. Mr HILLMAN required thereafter a above knee amputation and subsequently developed a prolonged period of infection. Despite antibiotic treatment he continued to deteriorate and he developed multi-organ failure. His care was orientated to palliation prior to his death. He had underlying comorbidities of diabetes, hypertension and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which reduced his physiological reserve further.
13/08/2026 14/08/2026 SOUTH, Alan Alan SOUTH died Royal Blackburn Hospital on the 9th of February 2025 having contracted pneumonia. He had been admitted to hospital on the 14th of January 2025 suffering from cholangitis which required an urgent procedure. That was delayed due to his medication, his lung function, and a fractured neck of femur sustained in an unwitnessed fall on the Ward on the 22nd of January 2025. A previous admission to hospital in September 2024 when cholangitis had been suspected had not been followed up with an outpatient appointment or further necessary investigation despite the results of blood tests that had been taken. 
14/08/2026 14/08/2026 BROWN, Zak William Drug related
14/08/2026 14/08/2026 DUDLEY, Janice Mary Accident
14/08/2026 14/08/2026 MURRAY, Anne Margaret Suicide
17/08/2026 17/08/2026 BURTON, Geoffrey Charles Industrial disease
17/08/2026 17/08/2026 CUMMINGS, James Drugs related death
17/08/2026 19/08/2026 FUGE, David Mr David FUGE died on 12 September 2024. The medical cause of death is hypertensive and ischaemic heart disease. Mr FUGE had pre existing medical conditions of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. These are know risk factors for cardiac events. Mr FUGE had reported feeling unwell from the 7 September and on the 10 September a code blue was called. The attending nurse completed physical observations and an ECG was performed. These were reported within normal range and the ambulance was stood down. There was a missed opportunity for assessment by an ambulance crew on the 10 September. Given the circumstances, medical records could have also been checked to identify relevant past medical history and potential risk factors for a cardiac event. On the 11 September, Mr FUGE was seen by a HCA due to feeling unwell and he reported a burning sensation in his chest. Physical observations were completed. There was a missed opportunity for escalation to the healthcare team or to a code blue. There was also a failure in effective handover of Mr FUGE's recent physical health presentation.
17/08/2026 17/08/2026 HALLIDAY, Karen Elizabeth Misadventure
17/08/2026 17/08/2026 JENNINGS, Melvyn Death from natural causes contributed to by asbestos exposure in working life.
17/08/2026 17/08/2026 NELSON, Tina Ann Misadventure
18/08/2026 18/08/2026 HODGES, Amie Louise Drug-related death
18/08/2026 18/08/2026 HOWARTH, James Scott James Scott HOWARTH was found deceased on 26 April 2026 in a hotel room where he had been staying at Purple Roomz, Lostock Lane, Bamber Bridge, Preston in Lancashire. Mr HOWARTH died as a result of ketoacidosis caused by chronic use of alcohol and illicit substances. His death was contributed to by traumatic injuries that were self-inflicted. Mr HOWARTH suffered from mental health issues which contributed to the self-infliction of his injuries. Mr HOWARTH was not receiving any active support for his mental health at the time of his death including not receiving medication for his underlying mental health condition 
18/08/2026 18/08/2026 LARVIN, Susan Natural causes
18/08/2026 18/08/2026 MCBRIDE, John John MCBRIDE died on 26 March 2026 at his home address of 9 Hillside Road, Preston in Lancashire. Mr MCBRIDE died as a result of ischaemic and valvular heart disease. His death was contributed to by diffuse pleural thickening as a consequence of occupational asbestos exposure. Evidence was heard that Mr MCBRIDE regularly encountered asbestos dust through work
21/08/2026 21/08/2026 BEECH, Robert Andrew Misadventure
21/08/2026 21/08/2026 BIRKHEAD, Stella Anne Road traffic collision
21/08/2026 21/08/2026 DONNELLY, James Andrew James Andrew DONNELLY was found dead at his home on the 19th of April 2026 suffering from alcoholic ketoacidosis having ingested an excess of sertraline 
21/08/2026 21/08/2026 EISMA, Sjoerd Wybren Accidental death
21/08/2026 21/08/2026 WALKER, Darren Dean Jake Natural causes
24/08/2026 24/08/2026 BAMBER, Peter Peter Edward BAMBER died on the 1st September 2025 at the Royal Preston Hospital. Mr BAMBER had a number of health conditions and was admitted to hospital on the 6th August 2025 as an emergency for treatment of a sigmoid volvulus. Mr BAMBER underwent surgery on the 7th August 2025 and initially commenced a slow but steady recovery. In the course of his admission, Mr BAMBER was wrongly prescribed medicine for his diabetes which was given daily instead of as required. On the morning of the 1st of September, Mr BAMBER was given insulin for high blood sugars. He was later found unresponsive and despite blood sugar correction, did not recover. It is not possible to determine what caused Mr BAMBER's death but it was contributed to by a number of pre-existing health conditions, along with his necessary emergency surgery and his diabetes. 
24/08/2026 24/08/2026 MADEN, Mary Mary MADEN died at her care home on the 4th of January 2026 from frailty to which pressure sores were contributory factors 
24/08/2026 24/08/2026 PRATER, Russell David Natural causes
25/08/2026 25/08/2026 HUTCHINS, Hayley Rachael Hayley Rachael HUTCHINS died on the 2nd September 2025 at the Royal Preston Hospital as a consequence of dilated cardiomyopathy. Mrs HUTCHINS had a number of health conditions and had been admitted to the Royal Oldham Hospital in March of 2025 where she underwent surgery for gall bladder issues. Following the surgery, Mrs HUTCHINS required further interventions to resolve a bile duct leak. Mrs HUTCHINS made an initial recovery and was discharged home but on the 21st of June 2025 was taken by ambulance to the Royal Preston Hospital in septic shock. Despite treatment at Royal Preston Hospital to resolve biliary sepsis, she continued to deteriorate and died as a result of her underlying dilated cardiomyopathy. Her death was contributed to by biliary sepsis which hastened her death from underlying cardiac cause. 
25/08/2026 25/08/2026 WELSH, Patricia Road traffic collision

This is the only information that can be provided at this time. Unfortunately, we cannot provide any additional information other than what is on the Court List. Please note inquests can be changed at the last minute, please check before attending.