A pensioner died after falling and hitting his head on a pavement in Brockenhurst.
An inquest heard how Leslie Hurdwell, of Lyndhurst Road, Lyndhurst, fell backwards and hit his head, causing a bleed on the brain.
He was taken to Southampton General Hospital on November 10 and discharged some days later to Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington, where he died on December 1.
Megan Brewer was on her way to work when she saw the incident.
She said another person told her that the 81-year-old had “suddenly collapsed where he was standing”.
She added: “The elderly man was unconscious and had blood coming out of his ear.”
Recording a verdict of accidental death, senior coroner Grahame Short said: “Although the fall may have been witnessed it’s unclear how it happened.
“I’m satisfied this was as a result of an accident.”
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