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A RETIRED Hereford teacher died from a traumatic head injury after falling down the stairs, an inquest was told.

Cecelia May Arlett, 87, died two days after suffering serious injuries at her home in Sutton St Nicholas, near Hereford, on November 26 last year.

She had been a teacher at Herefordshire College of Technology, and was married to Neil Arlett, the first vice principal of Hereford Sixth Form College.

An inquest held at Hereford Town Hall heard on May 17 how an ambulance was called to the scene by Mrs Arlett's son.

A statement from West Midlands Ambulance Service read by coroner Mark Bricknell said Mrs Arlett was found by her son in a "sluggish" and unresponsive state after he had to force entry to her home. 

A further statement from Hereford County Hospital said it was likely she had suffered a fall "the night before she was admitted". 

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Mr Iain Bissell described her injuries as "an extensive intracranial bleed with a skull fracture", and added that she also suffered ankle injuries.

Coroner Mark Bricknell said the cause of death was accidental and there were no suggestions of third-party involvement or suspicious circumstances.

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In a statement, Mrs Arlett's family said: "Our mother was a self-disciplined and determined person. 

"Our father died in 2021 and she struggled somewhat with loneliness. She was diagnosed with dementia in 2022. She had hand tremors and short-term memory loss.

"Despite having a stair lift she did not use it, determined she could manage the stairs. Our mother insisted she did not receive assistance and she was independent. 

"She was active in the community and a regular at her church. Neighbours in the village were supportive."

The care Mrs Arlett received at Hereford hospital was described as "professional, sensitive and empathetic".