Ex-butcher choked on bit of cake

11:45am Thursday 5th July 2007

A RETIRED butcher died after he choked on a piece of sponge cake, an inquest was told.

Widower John Bedington, aged 84, was at Norton Hall Nursing Home, Woodbury Lane, near Worcester, when staff noticed him choking.

Reading from a report from the home at Tuesday's inquest in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire coroner Victor Round said: "They did back slaps and abdominal thrusts and they didn't manage to get it all out. Staff went into resuscitation and paramedics came and took over. He had been there 18 months and had never choked before."

Mr Round said Mr Bedington died at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Wednesday, June 27, of brain damage due to lack of oxygen because of respiratory arrest.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.