A pensioner from Port St Mary died less than 24 hours after a serious fall at a residential home.

An inquest at Douglas courthouse on Thursday heard how 90-year-old Joan Orr passed away at Noble’s hospital on April 23, the day after she fell in the lounge area at Southlands.

Mrs Orr, a retired machinist, had been suffering from dementia and dizzy spells and had moved into the home two months earlier.

The inquest heard from various staff who heard a loud noise in the home’s Langness unit which was the sound of Mrs Orr’s head hitting the floor - one member of staff described it as a ‘sickening thud’.

The back of her head was bleeding and an ambulance was called but she continued to deteriorate and doctors ruled swelling could not be treated and, although kept comfortable, she was unlikely to recover.

The inquest had earlier been told Mrs Orr’s condition had deteriorated during previous weeks and she had suffered a number of falls, as well as catching an infection.

In recording a verdict of accidental death, Coroner of Inquests John Needham passed on his condolences to Mrs Orr’s son – who attended the hearing – and said staff at Southlands had done they all could to care for her.