Norfolk coroner, William Armstrong, at the Coroner's Court.

A 78-year-old woman died as a result of a serious head injury after falling in her home, an inquest was told.

Elaine Wilson, of Main Road, Brookville, Thetford, suffered a massive intracranial haemorrhage when she fell to the ground on November 24 last year.

King’s Lynn County Court heard that Mrs Wilson, a widow for about 20 years, was found unresponsive on the tiled floor by her cleaner Janet Jarred.

Mrs Jarred, who assisted the elderly woman three days a week, hailed her as “quite an independent” person despite the fact she lived alone.

“She always got herself up but on that morning I couldn’t get in. The door was locked, which was unusual,” she said.

“The original cleaner lived two doors down and had an extra key so I went and got it.

“As soon as I saw her I rang the ambulance.

“She was laying in the utility room, on her back, fully clothed but was unresponsive. I was told the next day she had died.”

Norfolk coroner William Armstrong said the pensioner had died as a result of the fall in association with underlying natural medical conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis which had caused her to suffer numerous falls previously.

Mrs Wilson was pronounced dead at King’s Lynn’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital after a decision was made not to operate on her injury “for all kinds of reasons”.

“Mr Wilson was suffering from a number of medical conditions,” said Mr Armstrong.

“Notwithstanding these conditions she lived a fairly independent life.

“Mrs Wilson was a warm and caring person with very high standards which is something those who knew her should celebrate and remember her for.”