A 93-year-old woman died "accidentally" after a fall in a Redbourn care home, an inquest has heard.

Hertfordshire Coroners Court heard Joan Watson died at St Matthews Care Home, in Chequer Lane, on December 13 after contracting an illness while recovering from a fractured pelvis.

Senior Coroner Edward Thomas said the fall "accelerated" her death.

Ms Watson, who suffered from dementia, sustained the fall on December 1 as she tried to cross her room with a zimmer frame.

She was admitted to Luton and Dunstable Hospital after complaining of pain.

Mr Thomas said: "At 7.30pm she was found on the floor with her zimmer frame close by.

"Shortly after she complained of pain and she was taken to Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

"Her left hip was painfully fractured, the treatment for which is bed-rest."

Ms Watson developed a urinary tract infection.

After consulting with Ms Watson’s family and GP, she was given palliative care at St Matthews.

Her illness got worse and Ms Watson died on December 13.

Ms Watson’s cause of death was recorded as bronchopneumonia, fractures of inferior and anterior left pubic rami and acute on chronic renal failure and dementia.

Mr Thomas said: "It is clear to me the fall accelerated death by making Ms Watson susceptive to the phenomenon she ultimately died from. I accept the cause of death. My determination is one of accidental death."