4:45pm Thursday 12th July 2007
By Janaki Mahadevan
An 82-year-old woman who died six weeks after being hit by a car in Furzehill Road developed a form of pneumonia, an inquest heard last week.
Kathleen Burns was hit by a red Toyota Yaris on December 7 last year.
She suffered head injuries and a fractured hip and ankle. She was taken to Barnet Hospital where she died on January 23.
The report from the doctor who carried out the post mortem noted Mrs Burns was recovering when doctors found she had also broken her other ankle. Her immobility caused her to become susceptible to Bronchopneumonia - the recorded cause of death.
Eric Smithson, the 68-year-old driver of the car, told the inquest he had been driving along Furzehill Road when Mrs Burns stepped out from behind a bus parked on the opposite side of the road.
He said: "The lady ran out from behind the bus. When I saw her I slammed on the breaks."
A statement read out on behalf of Mrs Burns' daughter, Angela Armstrong, said: "She was a very fit and well lady, a caring and loving mother."
It also stated Mrs Burns' eyesight and hearing were good and she had no need of an aid to walk with.
Hertfordshire coroner Edward Thomas recorded a verdict of accidental death.
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