Blind pensioner, 80, freezes to death as temperatures plummet
A BLIND 80-year-old pensioner froze to death after wandering out of his flat in the middle of the night. A staff member discovered Mohammed Ali unconscious in his underwear in the back garden at his supported housing block in London’s East End on December 5, an inquest was told
A BLIND 80-year-old pensioner froze to death after wandering out of his flat in the middle of the night.
A staff member discovered Mohammed Ali unconscious in his underwear in the back garden at his supported housing block in London’s East End on December 5, an inquest was told.
He was found at 7am after night-time temperatures had plummeted to 2.7 Celsius and was taken to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel—but died the following day from hypothermia.
Mr Ali, who suffered with dementia, could have got confused in the night or taken the wrong turn for the toilet and ended up outside, the Poplar inquest heard. Coroner Dr Andrew Reid recorded an open verdict.
NO ACTION
Springboard Housing Association, which runs the block in Hamlets Way, Mile End, said Mr Ali’s care was “appropriate for his assessed needs and circumstances.” Residents were free to enter and leave the block when they want.
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“No actions against staff arose as a result of this unfortunate event,” said a housing association spokeswoman. “We are, of course, examining the circumstances to ensure everything that should be done to support its independent-living residents is in place.”
Staff helped arrange Mr Ali’s funeral and held a remembrance service for him.
