Mum, 55, died weeks after stumbling over 'trip hazard' outside hospital - Birmingham Live

Lorna Loxton, a 55-year-old mum of two, tragically passed away three weeks after suffering a serious fall outside Bristol Royal Infirmary. On January 7, she had attended a cardiology appointment at the hospital. While making her way to a taxi, Lorna’s three-wheeled walking frame got caught in a metal flap covering a bollard, causing her to trip and fall. During the fall, she broke her hip and hit her head on the ground. Despite undergoing surgery for her broken hip, Lorna’s condition worsened, and she sadly died in the hospital on January 28. Lorna, who lived with myotonic dystrophy—a muscular condition causing weakness—had battled health issues for years. She was a former auxiliary nurse who hadn’t been able to work much due to her illness. Her children, Danni, 30, and Mark, 35, have paid heartfelt tributes to their mum, describing her as a loving animal enthusiast who cherished her horses and dogs. Danni shared that some days her mum couldn’t even get out of bed but always tried her best. She fondly remembers how proud Lorna was of both her and Mark, especially considering Mark also lives with the same condition. Music and TV shows were big parts of Lorna’s life—she loved ’80s tunes, JLS for some reason, and was addicted to soaps, especially Australian ones and Western films. Danni spoke about how much she used to talk with her mum and how hard it has been to cope with the traumatic way they lost her. The family is now seeking answers with the help of law firm Slater and Gordon, who are supporting them through what has been described as a devastating incident. Samantha Griffiths, a senior associate at the firm, condemned the situation, emphasizing that hospitals should be one of the safest places for people with mobility challenges. However, the presence of the metal flap, deemed a 'trip hazard,' and the lack of proper monitoring by the hospital’s estates and facilities team, has raised serious concerns. University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust expressed their condolences to Lorna’s family and stated their commitment to cooperating fully with the coroner during the inquest process, currently underway. For now, they have not commented further on the case. This heartbreaking event highlights the dangers that poorly maintained hospital environments can pose, especially for vulnerable individuals relying on mobility aids. The inquest will hopefully shed light on the exact circumstances that led to Lorna’s fall and subsequent death, helping to prevent similar tragedies in the future.