A WOMAN tragically died after falling down the stairs at her home.

91-year-old Vera Tuckwell died as a result of an accident at her Great Tey home, near Colchester, an inquest ruled.

Area Coroner Eleanor McGann heard she lived with her son.

Coroner's Officer Ria Hill, speaking at Essex Coroner's Court on Friday, said: "She was going upstairs when her son heard a bang and found her on the floor by the stairs."

She suffered a substantial bleed on the brain and, while she was rushed to Colchester General Hospital, she eventually died on March 8, four days after the fall.

There were no suspicious circumstances.

Ms McGann said: "I have accepted the evidence of the CT scan carried out in life.

"It was not necessary to have an intrusive post mortem examination to be carried out.

"I accept the evidence of her son. The fall was not witnessed but he knew she was going upstairs.

"She has had a fall which has led to her death.

"I record the verdict her death was an accident."