Staff at Southampton General Hospital failed to spot war veteran Bertram Turner's broken ribs and neck

An inquest heard Bertram Turner, of Ash Grove in Ashurst, fell at home on March 25 last year and was kept in Southampton General Hospital overnight.

Despite hitting his head a CT scan was not performed, nor were x-rays of his neck.

Nurses told his son Trevor Turner, 69, of Manor Road in Durley, that the 91-year-old had bad bruising but no broken bones and was fit to go home.

Days later it was discovered the 91-year-old had broken ribs and he was readmitted to hospital on April 5 but doctors failed to spot his broken neck until April 7.

Southampton General Hospital.

Dr Nicola Ellis, registrar in the emergency department and clinical decision unit, reviewed Mr Turner in March.

Giving evidence she said: “I reviewed the chest x-ray and didn’t see any rib fractures and still can’t see them.”

She also tested his mobility and said there was nothing to suggest he had any neck problems. She added that if the rib fractures were identified sooner it would not have changed the management of Mr Turner.

He died on April 24 last year of hospital-acquired pneumonia and other existing health problems. Karen Harrold, assistant coroner for central Hampshire, ruled a verdict of accidental death.

She said to the family: “I’m really sorry you lost him in this way and what happened at the hospital.”

She added that she was satisfied with an investigation carried out by the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust into Mr Turner’s death.

Just four days before he died, Mr Turner celebrated his 70th wedding anniversary with his wife Ethel at his bedside.

He served in over 30 missions during the Second World War and in 1942 was flying in a Lancaster bomber when it was shot down over the Channel. He was the only survivor and rescued by a boat.

A Lancaster bomber leaving the coast of Britain towards the continent.

Later he worked at Standard Telephones and Cables at Southampton docks for 30 years.

After the inquest his daughter Carol Burgoyne said: “He did not deserve to end his life this way. He was very strong and spoke his mind. He remained extremely dignified and he never complained. We all miss him every day.”

Neil Pearce, associate medical director at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Mr Turner’s family following their loss and we will continue to offer them our full support.

"Earlier identification of Mr Turner’s spinal fracture would not have changed his management or led to any surgical intervention in his case, but we have reviewed practice to ensure spinal imaging is considered in all patients with head injuries, particularly the elderly, even if no symptoms or signs of neck injury are present.

“We hope the information provided through our investigation, our previous meeting and at the coroner’s inquest has helped to provide some clarity, but we would be happy to talk to Mr Turner’s family directly to address any remaining concerns they may have.”