Gran died after wrong x-ray shown to doctor

A grandmother died of a punctured lung after doctors at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital failed to diagnose her broken ribs because they were shown an old x-ray.

Cynthia French, aged 53, broke her ribs when she fell on to a coffee table at her home in Davenport Road, Wednesfield, on August 31, 2007.

The housewife was taken to hospital by ambulance but sent home after doctors viewed an old x-ray of her chest, the inquest heard.

Mrs French was found dead in her bathroom three days later and her husband of 33 years, John French, was arrested on suspicion of murder.

At an inquest hearing on May 29, Chief Insp Mark Payne said there was not enough evidence to prosecute Mr French and he was released without charge.

The pair had a turbulent relationship and neighbours could often hear them arguing, it was said.

Wolverhampton Coroner Richard Allen recorded a narrative verdict yesterday.

In his verdict, Wolverhampton coroner Richard Allen said: "The deceased sustained fractured ribs which caused a pneumothorax resulting in her death on September 3 2007.

"The rib fractures and pneumothorax were not diagnosed when the deceased was seen at New Cross Hospital on September 2 2007 because of the display to the examining doctor of a previous (normal) x-ray image of her chest."

Speaking after the inquest, daughter Kathryn Wilkes said her mother had been in "horrendous pain" in the three days before she died. Mrs Wilkes, aged 35, said: "It's beyond belief that she went to hospital in an ambulance and they looked at the wrong x-ray."

Mrs Wilkes, a teacher from Cradley Heath, said: "She had a tragic childhood and a tragic life that ended in a tragic way, in horrendous pain. I just wish I could turn back the clock."