A SCHOOL groundsman died after falling off a ladder, an inquest heard.

David Mobsby was at work at Blatchington Mill School in Hove when he fell about four metres from a ladder, landing on his head.

He died three days later in hospital from his injuries.

Garth Jones, representing Blatchington Mill School at the inquest at the Jurys Inn, Brighton, yesterday, said: “Mr Mobsby is very much missed at the school. He was seen by everyone as a friend and a member of the family rather than a colleague.”

The 71-year-old, from Holmes Avenue in Hove, was cleaning a bike shed in a playground when he fell around lunchtime on August 3 last year.

He was found about ten minutes later by another staff member, David Lees, who called the ambulance.

Paramedics told how to give CPR over the phone until they arrived at the scene.

Mr Mobsby was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, in Brighton, where he died on August 6 from head injuries.

Pathologist Dr Mark Taylor said it was likely he hit the floor head first causing a “catastrophic head injury”.

The inquest heard this type of injury can in some cases lead to sudden death.

Dr Taylor said before Mr Mobsby was resuscitated, there was a chance he may have already been brain dead. He told the jury at the inquest the elderly man could have had a cardiac arrest which would have resulted in hypoxic brain injury as a result of the fall.

Mr Mobsby, who had been working at the school for almost 20 years, had a history of varicose veins which affected his mobility, the inquest heard.

Consultant vascular surgeon Michael Brooks said the groundsman had painful varicose veins in both legs and was waiting to have surgery.

He was wearing special compression leggings to help with his condition.

Brighton and Hove Coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley said: “It was certainly a hot day which might be worth taking into account because his tight leggings must have made it very uncomfortable.”

She said he was working a lot of hours, he also worked at Goldstone Primary in Hove, which brought him up to a 52-hour week. Ian Malpas, who worked with Mr Mobsby for about 15 years, said he had a few falls and had discussed the pain in his legs. But he said he was a private person and unlikely to discuss his physical struggles. The inquest continues tomorrow.