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Accidental: Tesco slip kills dad
By Mike PyleMay 14, 2009
A dad-of-two who popped to the shop and never came home died accidentally, a coroner ruled yesterday.
Vernon Robinson left his home in Pineridge Park, Crowthorne, heading for Tesco in Greenwood Road to buy tobacco.
But he collapsed in the store, smashing the back of his head on the floor on December 27.
Although he did regain consciousness, Vernon, 44, a former construction site manager, was diagnosed with a serious brain injury.
He died the next day in St George’s Hospital in Tooting, south-west London.
Coroner Peter Bedford described how Mr Robinson had been dependent on alcohol for 10 years and had been trying to detox in the days running up to his death.
Mr Robinson’s wife Deborah told the inquest at Windsor Guildhall: “When you’ve got someone who is as dependant on alcohol as Vernon was it can be difficult for them to go without, even for 24 hours.
“It could have caused him to have a fit.”
Mr Bedford said: “It’s all got to do with the alcohol, or the lack of alcohol.
“It’s not unusual for people to have a reaction in these circumstances.
“Mr Robinson, whether it was from drinking, or from not drinking, suffered a fall but I think it’s fair to record a verdict of accidental death.”
Mr Robinson left behind two children, Amii, 18, and Lewis 15, and was a former manager of Woodley Hammers Under-15s football team.
Mrs Robinson added: “It’s just a terrible waste. He was a very intelligent man.”
His parents, James and Celia Robinson, were also at the inquest. James said: “We live day-by-day but it’s hard.
“You never think you’ll have to bury your youngest son.”
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