An Andover man who is said to have worked on the FA Cup tragically passed away following a fall, an inquest has heard.

Antony George Lucas, known as Tony, was “rushing” to meet one of his daughters at the back gate of his Admirals Way home when he fell forwards and was suffered a severe brain injury, as well as fracturing his spine.

After being moved between Basingstoke and Southampton hospitals, the 88-year-old passed away on June 16 2020 at the Countess of Brecknock Hospice.

Winchester Coroners’ Court heard how on May 16, when Mr Lucas’ family came to pay him a visit, he fell down at the back door of his home, being knocked unconscious by the fall. His family rushed to his side, but he had suffered “tears” to his arms and face.

An ambulance crew was on the scene within minutes, and found he was “dazed and confused” following the fall. Coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp said that he was “clearly not well” following a rapid deterioration in his vital signs at the scene, and heard how he had been very active before his fall.

Mr Lucas was taken to Basingstoke hospital, where it was identified he had suffered subdural haematoma, as well as multiple spine fractures. He was subsequently sent to Southampton hospital, the neurological specialist centre for the region, for further treatment.

However, the coroner identified a number of inconsistencies in his medical notes, including incorrect information about his fall such as the date and direction. It also said he had been taken to Winchester hospital, which did not take place. Suggestions he would be sent back to Basingstoke for rehabilitation were also queried.

“I’m struggling to see how he would have been rehabilitated,” the coroner said.

Following a further X-ray, it was identified Mr Lucas was developing pneumonia, and he was given antibiotics. These did not improve his condition, however, and following a further round, the family agreed to put him on end-of-life care.

“We weren’t that happy with his care,” said Mr Lucas’s daughter, Maureen. “There was nothing specific, it was just a few things. We asked to see the palliative care nurse as we just felt there was a bit lacking.”

The family asked to move him back to Andover for his final days, which was agreed. He was transferred to the Countess of Brecknock Hospice, which the family said was “lovely”, where his wife was able to visit, with Mr Lucas having been her carer.

“He knew he was back in Andover,” said Maureen. “We took mum to see him and she was really pleased to have seen him as he looked so clean and settled.”

Subsequently, on June 16, Mr Lucas passed away at the hospice.

Giving her verdict, the coroner said that hospital-acquired pneumonia had “really dragged him down”, amending the cause of death to reflect that, with the main causes being given as the fall and the injuries sustained in it.

Mr Lucas’s family paid tribute to him, with his three daughters describing him as a caring and active father and loving husband. He had a number of careers across his life, including working as a shopkeeper in Andover and Boscombe, as a school caretaker and as a silversmith for Toye, Kenning & Spencer, with his son-in-law saying his “biggest achievement” was working on the FA Cup lid.

A verdict of accidental death was declared.