A FORMER headteacher who used a controversial rat poison drug to maintain an ‘active’ lifestyle died just days after falling and hitting his head.

Anthony Coe lived at Somerset House Residential Home in Yatton with his wife Dorothy, and after taking a stroll to the nearby railway station on May 13 he fell and hit his head.

The 96-year-old was taken to Weston General Hospital for stitches and was later released. But 10 days later the father became confused and was again admitted to hospital where a CT scan revealed he had suffered a brain haemorrhage, which he later died from.

An inquest was held at Flax Bourton Coroners Court on Monday and the court heard how following a stroke 16 years ago he opted to take Warfarin, also used as a rat poison, despite being warned of the side affects of extensive bleeding after an accident.

A statement read to the court from his daughter, Shelagh Williams, said: “He was a very determined man and he liked to be in control.”

She said he felt that the Warfarin gave him many extra years and allowed him to continue an active lifestyle.

Coroner David Dooley said he was an intelligent and alert headteacher and recorded a verdict of accidental death as there was a direct link between his fall and his death on May 23.