The inquest into the death of a man who died despite attempts to save him using the defibrillator from the Market Place in Ross-on-Wye, took place on Monday April 11th.

David Howell of Alton Street, Ross, was dining at the Kings Head Hotel on January 6th when he choked on a piece of steak. Members of staff gave first aid and someone collected the defibrillator machine from the Market Place. Paramedics and an ambulance crew also assisted Mr Howell and he was taken to Hereford Hospital where he died the following morning.

A post mortem revealed he died of hypoxic brain injury as a result of cardiac arrest and choking. The coroner, Mark Bricknell recorded a verdict of accidental death.