Pensioner died following fall, inquest told.

Albert Whitbread, 72, who lived at The Hurst Rest Home in Hoads Wood Road, sustained five broken ribs as a result of the accident, which happened on November 16 last year.

He was travelling down the road towards the town centre to meet a friend when he fell off.

Mr Whitbread died at the Conquest Hospital six days later.

The inquest on Wednesday heard that Mr Whitbread asked Laurence Walker, a neighbour, to adjust a lever at the back of his scooter before he rode down the road.

Mr Walker said: "He was ranting with me about the lever being stuck. I moved it and then checked with him to see if that's how he wanted it before he moved off.

"He seemed to be riding the scooter quite fast. That's why I kept on watching him."

Mr Walker later found him lying by the kerb. Carol Standen was driving along Hoads Wood Road when she found Mr Whitbread lying on the ground.

She said: "He was not talking, only groaning. I asked him his name and reassured him after asking a passing driver to call for an ambulance."

Lisa Goble, supervisor at The Hurst Rest Home, said Mr Whitbread often rode his mobility scooter down to the town centre to meet a lady friend and play bingo.

She said: "Albert was in quite a cheerful mood that day as he was talking about a lady friend he met at bingo who he was very fond of."

Deputy coroner Joanna Pratt recorded a verdict of accidental death.

After the inquest, Jim Ingram, who knew Mr Whitbread for more than 20 years, said: "He was a local character and everyone in the Old Town knew him.

"He was a loyal member and supporter of Halton Baptist Church and a fan of Tottenham Hotspur."