AN EDERLY woman died following an operation on a broken bone in her leg, an inquest was told.

Clara Becher, 97, of Norman Close, Bridport, was found at home by her carer on May 5, apparently following a fall and was taken to Dorset County Hospital.

An inquest at County Hall in Dorchester heard that she had sustained a fracture to her femur and was operated on the following day.

Hospital consultant Dr Andrew Ball said Mrs Becher’s daughter had been informed that an operation for someone of her age was ‘high risk’ but checks carried out prior to the operation showed she was stable and there were further potential risks if she did not have the procedure.

Mrs Becher, a widow and former clerical worker, died five days after the operation at the hospital.

West Dorset Coroner Michael Johnston said: “My verdict is that she had an accidental fall causing the fracture and died from her inability to cope with the stress of the fracture and the anaesthetic to repair it.”

He added: “My sympathies go to her daughter and to the carers who looked after her devotedly.”