An independent and “reasonably fit and well” 94-year-old died after breaking her neck in two places, a court has heard. 

Sylvia Seago, a retired clerical assistant, fell at her home in Acacia Road in the Thorpe St Andrew area of Norwich on November 19. 

Her son, Christopher Seago, had been staying with her as she was recovering from a recent chest infection. 

Mrs Seago fell over in her dining room at around 10pm, cutting her head and leg. Her son found her immediately and called 999. 

She was then taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, where a CT scan showed she had fractured her neck in two places. 

While in hospital, she developed aspiration pneumonia and later died on the evening of November 23. 

In a statement read out to Norfolk Coroner’s Court, based at County Hall in Norwich, her son described how she lived alone with “minimal help” from a gardener and a cleaner. 

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk Coroner's CourtNorfolk Coroner's Court (Image: Newsquest)

She was also assisted around four times a week with shopping and cooking. 

He added: “She was reasonably fit and well for her age and managed to walk with a frame or sticks.” 

A statement from Dr Gary Dawson at the N&N said that Mrs Seago had to be given a blood transfusion due to blood loss from the injury, which may have been exacerbated by her prescribed blood thinners. 

She also had osteoporosis.  

The inquest took place on December 5 and the primary medical cause of death was given as aspiration pneumonia. 

Area coroner for Norfolk, Samantha Goward, concluded the death was that of an “accident”. 

Sylvia Frances Seago, nee Abbott, was born in Middlesex on December 4, 1928, and was the widow of Michael John Seago, a retired administrator.