A WOMAN died after falling down the stairs at her Newton Aycliffe home, an inquest heard yesterday.
Peggy Elizabeth Hird, 67, was found at the foot of the stairs at her house in Markham Place on September 29 last year.
Her daughter, Elizabeth Dixon, had visited that day and when she saw the curtains had not been opened she called her brother Alan Gasgarth.
He went into the house and found their mother dead at the bottom of the stairs.
Consultant pathologist Clive Bloxham said Mrs Hird died as a result of a fractured skull and brain injuries consistent with a fall.
He said that toxicology reports showed that she had high levels of alcohol in her blood, about twice the legal limit for driving, which could have affected her balance.
Deputy coroner Brenda Davison recorded a verdict of accidental death.
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