Pensioner died after falling down stairs at Glasgow care home

A Glasgow court has heard how an elderly woman tragically died after falling down a flight of stairs.

Margaret Young, 83, who was living with Alzheimer’s, died in hospital after the tragic accident at Kinnning Park Care Home on September 28, 2015.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that the home had failed to lock a door that led to a flight of stairs. Following a search, Ms Young was found in the boiler room at the foot of the stairs. She was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital but later died from her injuries.

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The home admitted to a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act and apologised “unreservedly” to Ms Young’s family.

Procurator fiscal depute Lynne Jamieson said the home had added another lock to the door following the incident.

A statement on behalf of the family by law firm Digby Brown said: “Families like ours reluctantly put our loved ones into care homes because we genuinely believe it’s the best and safest place for them where they will be cared for in a safe, caring and dignified environment.

“So for Margaret to die in the way she did makes it all the more agonising.”

The family said the incident had proved the home was not fit for purpose.

A ruling on the incident was deferred until next week.