Islington Tribune - by SARA NEWMAN Published: 1 February 2008
Mystery injuries baffle inquest
A CORONER was unable to determine the cause of mysterious injuries that led to the death of a computer technician.
Richard Ward, from Dalmeny Road, Holloway, was admitted to University College Hospital in Bloomsbury in May last year after overdosing on anti-depressants. But hours later he was found underneath a tree in Euston Road, with severe head injuries, a St Pancras inquest has heard. He died two days later, a day after his 33rd birthday.
The tree’s lowest branches were considered too high for Mr Ward to have climbed. His injuries were not consistent with a fall or a road accident.
The hospital’s head of accident and emergency, Dr Anne McGuiness, said the injuries reminded her of a ski accident or those incurred by a fast-moving object. “We see a lot of people who fall onto their face but this was more than that,” said Dr McGuiness. She added: “We couldn’t see that this was all that could have happened.”
Coroner Dr Andrew Reid recorded an open verdict.