A hospital patient died within minutes of being impaled on part of a lifting hoist.
A metal mounting from a knee guard perforated part of Spalding man John Biggadike’s colon during a fall.
The incident occurred on ward 8A at Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital where 53-year-old Mr Biggadike was being treated for abdominal fluid retention.
Outlining the facts at the start of what was expected to be a four-day inquest, senior coroner for South Lincolnshire Prof Robert Forrest said on Tuesday that the incident occurred after staff placed Mr Biggadike in the Encore hoist, used to facilitate people rising up or sitting down.
Prof Forrest said: “While he was strapped to the hoist he said he wanted to use the commode.
“This was done and then an incident took place. Mr Biggadike moved forward on to the pole and he was very seriously injured.”
Evidence from pathologist Dr Stuart Hamilton said: “The metal mounting from the knee guard had entered his anus.”
The hearing, which includes advocates from United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust and the Health and Safety Executive, was told how attempts to save Mr Biggadike’s life were soon deemed worthless.
He died on April 10, 2012. The inquest has only just been resumed due to legal issues arising out of the incident.
Divorcee Mr Biggadike, of Third Avenue, had been unemployed since the death in October 2011 of his mother, for whom he was a carer.
His brother Keith, of Small Drove Lane, West Pinchbeck, told the hearing that John’s health had been deteriorating and he had been in hospital with cirrhosis of the liver.
The inquest is being held before a jury – five women and two men – in Boston. Deaths which have to be reported to an authority such as HSE require an inquest before a coroner with a jury. The jury decides the verdict.
The hearing continues.
