A retired family therapist died after the rented electric wheelchair he was travelling in plunged down a flight of stone steps while on holiday in Malaga, an inquest has heard.
Fatal Incident
Ronald Cushion, 80, a father-of-three from Liverpool, was visiting Malaga with his wife when the incident occurred on December 22 2023. Mr Cushion, who lived in Teignmouth, Devon, had been registered disabled since 2010 following a stroke and was predominantly reliant on a wheelchair.
On the morning of the incident, Mr Cushion went to the front of the hotel for his customary morning cigarette. His wife remained inside, keeping watch, but before she realised, he had missed the ramp and descended the staircase in his wheelchair. The wheelchair overturned, and Mr Cushion suffered a very significant head injury, leaving him unconscious.
Aftermath and Inquest
He was aided by onlookers and his wife before being taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. Sadly, he passed away at approximately 8am on December 24 at Hospital La Aaxarouia.
Assistant Coroner Stephen Covell said: "This was an unexpected, unintended and unforeseen event. Please accept my sincere condolences."
A post-mortem examination recorded the cause of death as cerebral haemorrhage following a fall. Mr Covell recorded a conclusion of accidental death.
