1974 pool dive blamed for death

Mr Lamond was originally from Northumberland

A man died in hospital 34 years after being paralysed when he broke his spine as he dived into a swimming pool, an inquest in Llandudno heard.

William Thomas Lamond, 63, from Rhos on Sea, Conwy, had been left partially paralysed, in 1974, after breaking his neck "when hitting the water".

Coroner John Hughes recorded a verdict of accidental death.

"The trigger for what happened was that very strange accident in the swimming pool in 1974," said Mr Hughes.

The inquest heard Mr Lamond's injury said the injury had made Mr Lamond more prone to pneumonia.

Mr Hughes asked that the pool accident be noted on the death certificate.

Injury

The former postman and game keeper had been injured when he dived into a swimming pool in Welshpool, where he broke his neck on the surface of the water, the inquest was told.

Despite his injuries his second wife, Sylvia, told the inquest that her husband was fit and well and able to drive a car and they went on many trips.

Over the years however he had suffered various bouts of pneumonia and other injuries, and each episode had left him less well.

A time would come inevitably when all the drugs and all the care would not work John Hughes, coroner

He was taken to hospital on 26 February this year with breathing difficulties and died the next morning.

Consultant pathologist Dr Mark Atkinson, who carried out a post mortem examination, said he was suffering from severe pneumonia, which he was always prone to because of inactivity due to his paralysis.

The North east Wales coroner John Hughes told Mr Lamond's widow: "It was the latest in a series of chest infections.

"Your husband, with your help and the help of the doctors, had done well and had been determined to live as active a life as possible."

There had been a number of episodes from which Mr Lamond never fully recovered, he said.

"A time would come inevitably when all the drugs and all the care would not work," said Mr Hughes.