Sir Bobby Charlton passed away after an accidental fall at a care home where he was battling dementia, according to an inquest.
The England legend, who won the World Cup in 1966, lost his balance while standing up from his chair and hit a windowsill and ‘possibly a radiator’, as per the Cheshire Coroner’s Court.
Staff initially found no visible injuries and observed no immediate impact on his mobility following the fall.
However, a chest X-ray and CT scan showed he had fractured ribs and was at risk of developing pneumonia.
Doctors recommended end-of-life care, and Sir Bobby passed away five days after the fall on October 21 at the age of 86.
Sir Bobby is survived by his wife Lady Norma, their two daughters Suzanne and Andrea, and grandchildren.
His battle with dementia had made him ‘unsteady on his feet, especially when standing from a seated position’.
The inquest also revealed that Sir Bobby’s medical history included an appendix removal, gout, a urine infection, chest infections, and a previous battle with Covid-19 in September.
Tamara Simmons, the care home manager, mentioned that Sir Bobby ‘needed support with all aspects of daily living’ and additional precautions were in place to ensure his safety due to restlessness.
Coroner Devonish concluded that Sir Bobby’s death was accidental, citing the cause of death as traumatic haemopneumothorax, the fall, and Alzheimer’s/dementia.
