THE family of a Hampshire woman who died after a fall at home thanked the staff at the Southampton hospital who treated her.

Kathleen Shawe, 84, died of complications, arising from a fall she had sustained in her New Milton home.

Her daughter, Sarah Shawe said: “We came down from Kent to see her, when we got to her home the chain was on the door, but I could see her feet.

"We called out and she said she was OK. We eventually sawed through the chain and found her laying at the bottom of the stairs.”

The mother of three was then taken to Southampton General Hospital where she passed away on July 2.

Sarah Shawe said the level of care her mother received, after breaking her hip, was extraordinary. “She was treated with love and tenderness by all the staff on Ward F3 at Southampton General Hospital. I never had to worry if my mum was being looked after”

“My mum was very special to me. I used to phone her every day. I miss her but it was her time.

"I’m sure she’s with dad and happy.

"They had a real love story and had been happily married for 50 years.”

Assistant coroner Sarah Whitby recorded a conclusion of accidental death.