'Pneumonia' death after bath fall

James Blythe lay undiscovered in his flat for days

An urgent inquiry is being carried out into claims that a West Midlands man who died of pneumonia had been trapped in a cold bath at his warden-controlled flat.

Former paratrooper James Blythe, 60, is believed to have fallen into the bath at his sheltered accommodation flat in Sandwell two weeks ago after suffering a stroke while washing clothes.

His daughter Kerry Blythe, of Tyseley, Birmingham, said he was not discovered until four days later.

The alarm was raised by a neighbour who was in regular contact with Mr Blythe.

'Contacted solicitor'

When he was eventually discovered, he was taken to Sandwell General Hospital where he died of pneumonia almost a week after he had suffered the stroke.

A Sandwell Borough Council statement said: "The warden got no reply from visits on Wednesday 10 October and Thursday 11 October."

James Blythe suffered a stroke

"But given Mr Blythe's history as someone who often went out and about, this was not considered to be irregular."

The council added that the warden saw a build-up of post the following day and decided to take action.

Miss Blythe said she understood that a warden was supposed to visit residents every day and that the family is now considering taking legal action against the council.

On Tuesday, she told BBC Radio WM: "On his death certificate it does say that he died from pneumonia. It has devastated the family.

"We were on the phone yesterday trying to get a solicitor to take the case on."

The council said that a full and urgent investigation would be carried out by senior officers.