A grandmother died from pneumonia after being struck by the MRSA "superbug" following a hip operation at an Oxford hospital, an inquest heard.

Widow Evelyn Coppock, 83, fractured her left hip after falling over at Townsend House Residential Care Home, in Headington, Oxford, a day after being admitted on October 18, last year.

She was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington, and underwent a hip replacement operation a few days later.

Oxford Coroner's Court heard on April 28 that Mrs Coppock, of Nuffield Road, Headington, became "agitated" following her operation.

On November 2, hospital staff discovered her wound had become infected with MRSA - methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus - which is known as a "superbug" because it is resistant to antibiotics and difficult to treat.

The infection was cleaned and Mrs Coppock was bed-bound in hospital to recover. On November 22, it was discovered she had a form of pneumonia. She was treated, but died ten days later.

Pathologist Ian Buley said a post-mortem examination showed there was no trace of MRSA in Mrs Coppock's body and she died from pneumonia.

He said she suffered osteoporosis - fragile bones - which meant her hip would have fractured easily.

Townsend House care assistant Michelle Wilson said Mrs Coppock, who suffered dementia and had difficulties getting around unaided, fell after trying to use another resident's walking frame.

She said she had just turned her back on Mrs Coppock when the home's chef called out to her.

Ms Wilson said: "I looked round and saw her reaching for the frame. The next thing I knew she was on the floor and the frame was on top of her."

Oxfordshire coroner Nicholas Gardiner said he had considered whether Mrs Coppock's death was natural or the result of an accident.

He said: "There is a very fine line, but on the balance I record a verdict of accidental death. The fracture was caused by the fall rather than vice versa, although since she suffered osteoporisis it would not have taken a great impact to cause the fracture.

"The operation was successful, but then the infection developed in hospital. This was dealt with but one of the side effects is that she would have been bed-bound. Unfortunately, pneumonia is more likely to occur in patients who cannot move around."

After the verdict, Mrs Coppock's family said they were satisfied with the verdict.

Her daughter Elaine Harris, of Headington, said: "She was old and not well, but it was very sad to see her go like this."