A well-known North Devon milkman suffered fatal bleeding in the brain after his health deteriorated when he accidentally caught his head in the door of his van when he was slamming it closed.
Colin Bryant was injured on May 9, 2018, when he was delivering milk to a service station Barnstaple at 2am, an inquest at Exeters County Hall heard yesterday.
He told his wife Dru he had been putting an empty crate into the rear of his van when he hurt his head.
However, the 61-year-old carried on with his deliveries, despite falling twice that morning and being in pain.
Despite the insistence of Dru to see a doctor, Colin, who was described as having been fit and healthy up until then, refused to be checked over.
When his headaches increased and he had a further fall, Dru told in a statement how he finally agreed to be taken to A&E at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) on May 16.
Dru, who ran the office side of their milk delivery business, recalled: Around 2am I heard him wake up and asked how he was. He said he felt terrible and could not got to work. In the 25 years we were married he never said that.
A CT scan revealed a significant bleed to the right side of his brain and he was transferred to Derriford hospital in Plymouth.
Colin was descried as having had a complex past medical history which included having replacement heart valve surgery in 1998 due to a genetic connective tissue disorder called Loeys-Dietz syndrome.
He also had high blood pressure and had been left with some nerve damage following a mini stroke.
When a further scan revealed a rebleed he received surgery and returned to NDDH where a further CT scan showed a bleed to the left side of his brain.
Colin was discharged home on June 21, but was described as not being his usual self so was readmitted with fatigue and poor food intake on June 29. A further scan showed no new bleeding, and he was discharged the following day.
While Dru was away and Colin was being looked after by carers and family, he was found on the floor at their home on July 7. An ambulance was called and arrived two-and-a-half hours later, but he was not taken to hospital after telling the crew he had not hit his head, had not been knocked out and wanted to stay at home.
That evening he was found to be unresponsive when checked on by a family member and was taken to NDDH. A CT scan showed fresh bleeding around the left side of his brain from which he never recovered.
Home office forensic pathologist Dr Deborah Cook told the inquest: Unfortunately that final bleed around the brain was much bigger and by the time he came into NDDH, sadly Colin was never going to recover from the compressive damage and was admitted for end of life care and passed away in the early hours of July 8.
She said the cause of it was 'most likely' the fall the day before stating even it could have been caused by his head being 'violently jolted'.
During his post mortem examination it was detected he had a rare infection in his right subdural bleed and Dr Cook said it was more likely it would have occurred at the time of his surgery and she was not surprised it had not been detected until after his death and added it would have been difficult to treat.
She said: I do think it had impact in this case, but it is not the major factor here.
She added an underlying factor was his genetic condition.
The cause of death was acute left sided subdural hematoma in man treated with warfarin following aortic valve replacement in Loeys-Dietz syndrome.
Conditions which contributed but did not directly lead to his death were right sided subdural hematoma following an operation on May 28.
Colins wife Dru said his deteriorating health led them to decide on June 4 to sell the business, but she had not expected him to get even worse.
She said: I do not think we were given enough information about brain haemorrhages and the increased risk of having another one.
During the inquest evidence was heard from paramedics who treated Colin when he was found on the floor at his home.
They reported he had no physical head injury and advice was given if his condition should deteriorate or change.
An investigation into the treatment he received from South Western Ambulance Trust following his death concluded NICE guidelines which have to been applied for specific conditions did not apply in this case as Colin reported not having hit his head.
However, the trust stated it did now offer staff additional guidance about frailty and falls since the incident.
Medical advice was also heard from a specialist about blood thinner Warfarin which is taken to prevent clots forming in the heart valve but can lead to a small risk of bleeding.
The inquest heard Colin had Warfarin stopped and started again during following his initial head injury due to its associated risks.
Recording a narrative conclusion coroner Philip Spinney said: The deceased suffered complications following a head injury on the background of anticoagulant treatment."
Paying tribute to Colin after the inquest Dru said: "To us Colin was our devoted husband and father. He liked nothing more than pottering about at home and enjoying a home cooked meal with his family.
"Many people remember Colin from when he worked as a butcher in the Barnstaple, but for 30 years he delivered milk in Barnstaple, Landkey, Swimbridge and latterly Braunton.
"He thoroughly enjoyed his job and always went the extra mile helping people by changing lightbulbs and taking out rubbish. He was always smiling and would giving people a wave as he went about his deliveries.
"Colin faced adversity with both a genetic heart condition and a neurological condition, but he always carried on saying, 'as long as I enjoy delivering to my customers Ill keep going'.
"He would admit that he wasnt Ernie the fastest milkman in the west, more the slowest! In his younger days he ran a youth club, he also served as a Landkey Parish Councillor and a trustee to Landkey United Charities.
"He enriched the lives of so many and we as a family and North Devon are poorer for his loss."
In 1988 Colin was working as a butcher in Barnstaple when he heard that the local milkman was selling up.
Colin, never minding early mornings, decided he fancied being his own boss and bought the business.
In 1992 Colin was introduced to Dru by a customer. He asked her out and on their second date knew she was 'the one'. Dru took a bit longer and waited until their third date.
Six weeks later he proposed and they married the following year. Their daughter, Lottie, was born in 1998.
See the original post here:
North Devon milkman died two months after shutting his head in the door of his van - Devon Live
- Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy Brain Injury - May 7th, 2011 [May 7th, 2011]
- Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury - May 9th, 2011 [May 9th, 2011]
- Atlanta Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Emory - May 11th, 2011 [May 11th, 2011]
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Brain Injury Part 2 (Tbi) - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- Mark, anoxi brain injury, physical therapy after stem cell treatment - May 21st, 2011 [May 21st, 2011]
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - May 21st, 2011 [May 21st, 2011]
- Bob Hahn Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery - May 23rd, 2011 [May 23rd, 2011]
- Mark, anoxi brain injury, after stem cell treatment at Tiantan Puhua Hospital Beijing - May 24th, 2011 [May 24th, 2011]
- New Beginnings community center for brain injury rehabilitation - May 30th, 2011 [May 30th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 1 - Dr. Robert Kohn, Neurologist - June 2nd, 2011 [June 2nd, 2011]
- Am I Brain Damaged? from traumatic brain injury - June 3rd, 2011 [June 3rd, 2011]
- SLI Wellness Center for Brain Injury Rehabilitation - June 11th, 2011 [June 11th, 2011]
- Update on Libya, Radiation in Japan, Tramatic Brain Injury treatment and more, 03/23/2011 - June 12th, 2011 [June 12th, 2011]
- Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center - Finding Your Path - June 12th, 2011 [June 12th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 5 - Doctor Kohn, Chicago Neurologist - June 16th, 2011 [June 16th, 2011]
- The struggle to treat traumatic brain injury - June 17th, 2011 [June 17th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor Speaks about ProTECT trial at UC Health University Hospital - June 17th, 2011 [June 17th, 2011]
- Stem cell treatment for Brain Injury of Adrian - June 23rd, 2011 [June 23rd, 2011]
- Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - June 24th, 2011 [June 24th, 2011]
- Hyperbaric Chamber Treatment Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury TBI - July 4th, 2011 [July 4th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 2 - Dr. Robert Kohn, Neurologist - July 6th, 2011 [July 6th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 7 - Doctor Kohn, MD, Neurology, Neuropsychiatry - July 14th, 2011 [July 14th, 2011]
- Neurofeedback Training and Treatment at Healing Unleashed in Denver Colorado - July 15th, 2011 [July 15th, 2011]
- Alexis Verzal takes independent steps - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- The New WalkAide System: Advanced Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for Treatment of Foot Drop - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- Doctors Cool Newborn to Limit Brain Damage - July 19th, 2011 [July 19th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 6 - by Neurologist, Dr. Robert Kohn - July 24th, 2011 [July 24th, 2011]
- Brain injury and trauma treatment by homeopathy - July 31st, 2011 [July 31st, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 4 - Dr. Kohn, Neuropsychiatrist / Neurologist - August 9th, 2011 [August 9th, 2011]
- Preserving Hope, Predicting Health - August 17th, 2011 [August 17th, 2011]
- Sask Brain Injury Association - August 19th, 2011 [August 19th, 2011]
- Cognition and Mild Head Injury by Dr. Muriel Lezak - August 21st, 2011 [August 21st, 2011]
- Brain injury_Shawna_ USA_before stem cell treatment 1.wmv - August 25th, 2011 [August 25th, 2011]
- Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center - Recovery is a Journey - August 26th, 2011 [August 26th, 2011]
- Different types of Concussions by Dr. James Chesnutt.mov - August 30th, 2011 [August 30th, 2011]
- Brain injury_Shawna_ USA_after stem cell treatment 1.wmv - September 11th, 2011 [September 11th, 2011]
- With Brain Injuries, Soldiers Face A Battle For Care - September 23rd, 2011 [September 23rd, 2011]
- Tripler Medical Center Treats Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Sessions' Traumatic Brain Injury Amendment to DOD Appropriations - October 2nd, 2011 [October 2nd, 2011]
- Using Stem Cells for Treatment of TBI | Dr. Charles Cox | Research Trials - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Healing brain injuries - October 8th, 2011 [October 8th, 2011]
- Veterans Services at Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center - - October 8th, 2011 [October 8th, 2011]
- Hope Beyond Trauma - October 9th, 2011 [October 9th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 3 - by Neurologist Dr. Robert Kohn - October 10th, 2011 [October 10th, 2011]
- Understanding and Improving Vocational Outcomes following Traumatic Brain Injury - Video - October 16th, 2011 [October 16th, 2011]
- LI facility dedicated to Terri Schiavo - Video - October 17th, 2011 [October 17th, 2011]
- Treating Traumatic Brain Injury with Neurotopia - featuring Holden McCray - October 18th, 2011 [October 18th, 2011]
- Brain Injury Survivors: Adriana Villar (Making a Difference: Story 1) - Video - October 21st, 2011 [October 21st, 2011]
- Fabio - brain injury - Video - October 23rd, 2011 [October 23rd, 2011]
- The Latest Developments in Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment - Video - October 25th, 2011 [October 25th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatments and Brain Damage Video of MRI of Brain Chambers WWW.STEMCELLREGENMED.COM - Video - October 29th, 2011 [October 29th, 2011]
- Military lags on promising treatment for brain-injured soldiers - Video - November 6th, 2011 [November 6th, 2011]
- Brian Moylan (TBI survivor) talking on treatment from the NHS - Video - November 10th, 2011 [November 10th, 2011]
- Brain Injury Experts at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital - Video - November 12th, 2011 [November 12th, 2011]
- H200 Hand Rehabilitation System - Testimonials - Clinical Focus - Video - November 13th, 2011 [November 13th, 2011]
- Coping with Brain Injury: Robots and Rehabilitation - Video - November 16th, 2011 [November 16th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation using MediTouch HandTutor - Video - November 18th, 2011 [November 18th, 2011]
- Brain Injury Treatment Success | College Station Chiropractor Dr. David Bailey - Video - November 30th, 2011 [November 30th, 2011]
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) corrects brain-injury. - Video - December 7th, 2011 [December 7th, 2011]
- Story of a Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery with Hyperbaric Oxygen (Part1/4) - Video - December 8th, 2011 [December 8th, 2011]
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Brain Injury - Video - December 10th, 2011 [December 10th, 2011]
- Redwood Extended Care Facility - Brain Injury Services - Video - December 10th, 2011 [December 10th, 2011]
- What If... Brain Injury Rehabilitation - Video - December 17th, 2011 [December 17th, 2011]
- Dangers in Self Medication - Young Adults with Lyme Disease - Leo J. Shea, III, PhD - Video - December 18th, 2011 [December 18th, 2011]
- Reducing Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in the US - Video - December 19th, 2011 [December 19th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 8 - Dr. R. Kohn, MD, Neurology - December 21st, 2011 [December 21st, 2011]
- Brain injury rehabilitation using Wii recreational therapy - Video - December 24th, 2011 [December 24th, 2011]
- CNS President/CEO Dr. Mark Ashley discusses how research shapes brain injury rehabilitation - Video - December 29th, 2011 [December 29th, 2011]
- Albert James De Meillon-Traumatic Brain Injury-Part 1 - Video - January 1st, 2012 [January 1st, 2012]
- Hope Beyond Trauma_Janie Smith - Video - January 10th, 2012 [January 10th, 2012]
- Neurofeedback adhd - Video - January 11th, 2012 [January 11th, 2012]
- We are the World, We ARE The Children - Video - January 11th, 2012 [January 11th, 2012]
- New Hopes for Treating Traumatic Brain Injury - Video - January 11th, 2012 [January 11th, 2012]
- NeuroRestorative's Robin Ray Featured on ABC in Southern Illinois - Video - January 13th, 2012 [January 13th, 2012]
- Careers at Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center - Video - January 26th, 2012 [January 26th, 2012]
- Chris Persel discusses what makes CNS a leader in brain injury rehabilitation - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- Care for catastrophic injuries, spinal cord and traumatic brain injury - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- Military Tests Pressurized Chamber to Treat TBI - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- Richmond Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys Applaud White House Research Initiative Targeting Veterans’ Health Issues - January 28th, 2012 [January 28th, 2012]
- Protect Your Brain...Why? - Video - January 30th, 2012 [January 30th, 2012]