A WOMAN who ran the Christian Respite Centre in Shanklin died after waiting five hours to tell a friend she had fallen at home.

The Isle of Wight Coroner's Court heard last Wednesday that Joyce Bould, 74, died after sustaining a broken femur during the fall.

Ultimately though, she died of respiratory failure. The inquest heard she was frail and had a pre-existing condition — Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), exacerbated by the fact she was a heavy smoker.

Born in Leeds in 1945, she moved to the Isle of Wight to open a hotel with her husband, but after she learnt of the extent of homelessness on the Island she began running the respite centre.

Coroner Caroline Sumeray said around 1am on June 23, Mrs Bould fell at her home at Broadfields Avenue, Cowes, but waited until 5am to call a friend and alert paramedics.

When the paramedics arrived, they found the door was locked and a few hours passed before access was gained to the property.

Mrs Bould eventually arrived at St Mary's Hospital at 9.15am.

Mrs Sumeray said: "Something like 25 per cent of elderly people who suffer a fractured neck of femur don't last longer than a year because the chances of developing a chest infection are so high."

Mrs Bould's daughter, Kim Bould, said: "At her funeral so many people from around the Island who she had helped over the years came to honour her.

"I heard one person say she was a model for us all.

"I want it to be known that the staff at St Mary's Hospital were amazing to us, they were so kind. I couldn't be more grateful."

The coroner concluded Mrs Bould died as the result of an accident.

Don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.