Probe after second death at care home

WOMAN BROKE HER BACK DURING SUSPECTED FALL

- By CHRIS SLATER

AN investigation has been launched following the death of a second elderly woman at a care home where another resident fell from a window, the Manchester Evening News can reveal.

As reported last week, a 78-year-old woman is understood to have fallen from a second-floor bedroom window at Berrycroft Manor, in Romiley, Stockport.

Her death, on September 29, was the second in a matter of weeks to have been referred to Greater Manchester Police and the coroner.

An inquest opened last week into the death of Peggy Whyte, 95, at the same care home on Berrycroft Lane.

South Manchester Coroner's Court heard that Mrs Whyte died on August 27 after breaking her back during a suspected fall.

Senior coroner Alison Mutch said she was found dead at 3.20am in her room by staff at the care home, who thought 'she had mobilised'.

"It looked as if she had got out of bed to use the commode and fallen," the coroner said.

Ms Mutch questioned the effectiveness of a pressure mat in Mrs Whyte's room, which should have alerted staff that she had got up.

Michael Blissett, home manager at Berrycroft Manor, described both deaths as an 'accident' - with neither incident being connected.