AN ELDERLY woman died from a fall after getting out of a car.

Alice Bennett was visiting her grandson and had just left the car when she fell, hitting the side of her head.

The 88-year-old remained in hospital for several months, but her condition deteriorated.

An inquest at Southampton heard how Mrs Bennett had been picked up from her home in Charnwood Way, Blackfield by son-in-law Ray Mason.

In a read statement, he told how he and his wife had been taking Mrs Bennett to visit her grandson in Chapel Road, Southampton.

He stated that, after arriving there at 11.15am on September 22, Mrs Bennett had stumbled backwards, having lost her balance, possibly due to the slope of the road.

She fell, hitting her head on the tarmac, leaving her unconscious, and was taken to hospital, the inquest heard.

Consultant Amir Qureshi, in a read statement, said Mrs Bennett was not suitable for surgery and, although there were times when Mrs Bennett appeared to be getting better, there were ongoing problems with confusion and there could only be “conservative management as a result of her frailty”.

She died at Southampton General Hospital on November 6.

Southampton coroner Keith Wiseman gave a verdict of accidental death.