A CHRISTCHURCH woman died from pneumonia after falling and breaking her hip in South Africa.

Ann Richardson, 74, of William Close, Walkford, fell on a step between a sun lounger and a lounge while in South Africa for a family wedding in December 2019, a Bournemouth inquest heard.

Ms Richardson suffered the fall on December 28 and was taken to Vergelegen Medicentre, Somerset West, Western Cape.

She then had an operation two days later on a broken hip, which she recovered from.

However, on January 2 she became short of breath and died. The inquest heard she died of pneumonia as a result of the operation.

Coroner Brendan Allen told the inquest: “On December 28 Ann Richardson, who was visiting South Africa, suffered an accidental fall at a private residence where she was staying.

“She fractured her left hip and was taken to Vergelegen Medicentre.

“On January 2 Mrs Richardson became short of breath and deteriorated rapidly.”

Mr Allen, recording the cause of death, added: “I am satisfied on balance of probability that the appropriate conclusion to record is that Ann Richardson died as a consequence of an accident.

“The chain starts with the fall which led to a hip fracture which led to pneumonia.”