Accidental death of Sir Bobby Charlton

Sir Bobby Charlton died after an accidental fall at a care home, an inquest has heard.

England and Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton died aged 86 at Macclesfield General Hospital on October 21, leaving the football world in mourning.

An inquest at Chester Coroner’s Court heard the 86-year-old lived at The Willows, Knutsford, a nursing home which cares for dementia patients.

Senior Coroner for Cheshire Jacqueline Devonish concluded his death was accidental. He told the hearing that Charlton lost his balance as he rose from his chair, hitting a window sill and “probably a radiator”.

Staff performed a full-body check at that time and noted that there were no visible injuries, noting that his mobility appeared unaffected. But swelling was later noticed on his back and he was taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Macclesfield General Hospital.

A chest X-ray and CT scan revealed he had broken ribs and may have developed pneumonia, the inquest heard.

Doctors then agreed that Sir Bobby should undergo hospice care and he eventually died days later. The coroner gave the cause of death as trauma to the lungs, a fall and dementia.

Investigation showed he had an extensive medical history and had also contracted Covid in September.

Care home manager Tamara Simmons said the England football legend needed support in all aspects of daily life.