MARKET trader from Hampshire, who was a key member of a Southampton temple for 25 years, died from a fall, an inquest heard.

Southampton Coroner’s Court heard how Mohinder Singh Taheem suffered a brain injury after falling by his hospital bed on February 3 this year. The grandfather of ten had a history of falls and had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease at the time of his death.

He died a few hours later at Southampton General Hospital in the early hours of February 4 – minutes before his family arrived.

During the hearing questions were raised by the family about the care the 79-year-old received in the days leading up to his fatal fall.

Delivering a verdict of accidental death, deputy coroner Gordon Denton said he did not think there was a lack of care.

“I am aware of the family’s questions surrounding the circumstances of Mr Taheem’s demise and I trust that this inquiry has been able to answer them to their satisfaction.

“I’m aware of the problems in communication of his condition being passed on to them.

“Every effort was made to contact them as soon as possible; however, sadly, this was too late for anybody to be with him when he passed away.”

Mohinder’s son, Gurmet said: “It would just have been nice for us to be there to say goodbye.”

After emigrating from Kenya when he was 13, he lived in Ringwood for more than 50 years, selling textiles at markets across the south until he retired in 1988.

He devoted his retirement to volunteering at the Singh Sabah Gurdwara in Cranberry Road in St Mary’s.

His family said he was the cook in the temple, catering for hundreds of worshippers and regularly cooking for the temple’s kabaddi team.

Gurmet, 40, who cares full time for his mother Surinder, said: “Everybody knew him. On hot days he would set up a table outside the temple and hand out cold drinks to people.”