A RETIRED gardener has died after fracturing his femur at home.

Ralph Stobbs, 85, fell at home on April 12 this year in Poplar Close, Banbury, fracturing his femur.

The retired gardener was successfully operated on at Horton General Hospital but passed away while recovering in hospital on April 17.

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His death was verified at 10.13pm.

An inquest opening held at Oxford Coroner’s Court on Wednesday (May 8) heard that a medical cause of death for Mr Stobbs has been provided as pneumonia, intracapsular neck of femur fracture, and metastatic carcinoma of prostate.

The inquest heard that Mr Stobbs was born in Hartlepool.

Senior coroner Darren Salter has set a date for a full inquest to take place at the same court on May 15 at 11am.