A WIDOWER died of severe burns in his bath after he left the hot tap running, an inquest at Warrington heard on Tuesday.

Thomas Wilkinson was found dead in his home on Buckingham Avenue, Widnes, aged 90.

His son, Alan, told the hearing: "The death of my mother affected him.

"He was a physically fit man for his age but since her death his mind started to wander and he became forgetful."

Off-duty policeman and neighbour Stephen Stretch was alerted to a problem when he heard water running out of the overflow pipe at Mr Wilkinson's home.

Police were called and Mr Wilkinson was found in an overfilled bath.

Water was flowing out of the overflow pipe and the hot tap was dripping on to his head.

There was no pulse and he was taken to hospital.

A post mortem examination shown the cause of death was severe burns due to scalding and Coroner John Hibbert returned a verdict of accidental death.

Mr Hibbert added: "Everything points to the fact Mr Wilkinson was taking a bath, unaware it was overflowing."

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