A WOMAN who had recently suffered a stomach illness and anxiety problems died after a fall on stairs outside her Kendal flat.

Sandra Turton, 61, was found by a neighbour, Logan Roberts, in the stair well close to her flat on the second floor of a building on Kirkland on the evening of July 13 last year.

In a statement read out at an inquest at County Hall, Kendal, Mr Roberts said he discovered Ms Turton, who he had never previously met, lying on the stairs and she had clearly suffered injuries.

Mr Roberts said in his statement that she was cold to the touch and he could not find a pulse.

He called the emergency services and police and paramedics arrived but they were unable to revive Ms Turton who was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

The inquest heard Ms Turton had on occasions been prone to bouts of drinking and a toxology report after her death noted a blood alcohol level of 283 ml.

In addition, a statement from PC Gareth Jones which was read out noted that a bag of rubbish was found next to her which contained several empty wine bottles.

Ms Turton, who was born in Kendal, was a chair restorer and laundry operative who had previously been married and had four children.

Her daughters Bridie and Naomi told the inquest that apart from some recent anxiety problems and an ongoing stomach complaint, she was otherwise in good health.

Her daughters said they regularly visited their mother and prior to her death had appeared to be in good spirits and had recently bought a new car.

However, when she was found by Mr Roberts, she had clearly sustained serious injuries and he noticed her wrist was badly twisted.

A medical report read out in court noted a number of serious traumatic injuries.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, assistant county coroner Simon Ward said it was clear from the evidence provided that the fall down the stairs outside her flat had caused the injuries which led to her death.

He added that the alcohol she had recently consumed may well have played a part in the fall, and he offered his condolences to her family.