A PENSIONER died from a brain haemorrhage following a blow to the head, an inquest heard yesterday.

Teesside Coroners' Court heard that Sarah Burr, otherwise known as Sally, had been living at Welburn House nursing home, in Fairfield, Stockton, at the time.

Care assistant Vicky Robson said she had been bathing a resident in the elderly mentally infirm unit at 7pm last October 7 when she heard a thud.

She found 73-year-old Mrs Burr, who had Alzheimer's disease and took blood-thinning medication for a heart condition, lying on the floor.

Backing away from her was another resident, Anne Oliver, 83, who also has Alzheimer's. Ms Robson said: "I heard a loud thud and saw Sarah Burr lying on the floor on her side.

"Anne Oliver was looking sheepish. She mumbled something about a push and may have said that she deserved it."

Although Mrs Burr seemed to recover from the fall, by the following day she had started to deteriorate, and was taken to North Tees General Hospital. A scan revealed an inoperable brain haemorrhage, and Mrs Burr died on October 12.

Dr Stephen Anderlic, a forensic examiner for Cleveland police, said: "I interviewed Anne Oliver and she was disoriented in time, place and person."

Recording an open verdict, Teesside coroner Michael Sheffield said: "It would be inappropriate to speculate on exactly what did occur."