A disabled man died after developing pneumonia, an inquest into his death has heard.
Martin Crane had been left paraplegic following a motorbike accident in 1985, Lincoln Coroners’ Court was told on Thursday, May 28.
He died aged 64 on June 17 last year at Lincoln County Hospital, five days after falling ill.
The hearing was told that the spinal and head injuries Martin received from the accident meant his lack of mobility and increased risk of infections was a contributing factor, as was a urinary infection.
His sister Pamela McAlpine provided a statement to the inquest saying Martin grew up on the Isle Of Man and had always loved motorbikes, getting his first one at the age of 16.
“He always wanted to be a farm worker,” she said. “He took great pride in his work and was good at it. He was 6ft 2ins and strong and fit.”
The accident happened when the family was living in Yorkshire, Miss McAlpine said.
When his mum died and his dad fell ill he moved into Ashwood Care Home.
“Martin loved doing craft work and art work at the centre,” Miss McAlpine said. “He met Marie and was engaged to her for a very long time.
“Because his room overlooked a small holding Martin got a lot of pleasure from watching the crops grow and from critiquing the combining and ploughing.
“He had complex medical issues but he wanted to live.
“He was interested in world affairs, his family, their lives and the lives of the staff at Ashwood with whom he was very fond.
“He was a much loved son, brother and uncle who is missed very much.”
Delivering a narrative conclusion coroner Jayne Wilkes said: “Despite his medical conditions Martin continued to live a full life, firstly with his parents and then at his care home.
“My sincere condolences to Martin’s friends and family and particularly Miss McAlpine for her beautiful pen portrait of her brother and her support of the inquest process.”
