An 80-year-old British man died in Spain after the rented electric wheelchair he was travelling in plunged down a flight of stone steps, an inquest has heard.
Incident Details
Ronald Cushion, a retired family therapist, was on holiday in Malaga with his wife when the tragic incident occurred on December 22, 2023. Born in Liverpool, Mr Cushion resided at an address in Higher Holcombe Drive, Teignmouth, and is survived by three children.
Exeter Coroner's Court was told on August 4 that Mr Cushion had been registered disabled since 2010 following a stroke and was predominantly reliant on a wheelchair. On the morning of December 22, he made his way to the front of the hotel for his customary morning cigarette, the inquest heard.
Fatal Accident
His wife remained inside the hotel, keeping watch while not wanting to hurry him, but before she could intervene, Mr Cushion had missed the ramp and descended the steps. The wheelchair overturned, and Mr Cushion suffered a "very significant head injury", leaving him unconscious.
He was assisted by bystanders and his wife before being conveyed by ambulance to a nearby hospital. Sadly, within a matter of days, Mr Cushion passed away at around 8am on December 24 at Hospital La Aaxarouia.
Inquest Conclusion
Assistant Coroner Mr Stephen Covell said: "This was an unexpected, unintended and unforeseen event. Please accept my sincere condolences."
A post-mortem examination was conducted, with the cause of death recorded as cerebral haemorrhage following a fall. Mr Covell recorded a conclusion of accidental death.
