Fall was catalyst for chain of events

ONE of Shaw’s most engaging characters, Harry Andrew, will be given a huge send-off this week after dying peacefully at his care home, aged 78

Harry had lived at Chadderton Total Care for three years, after a freak accident left him paralysed from the neck down. Mr Andrew fell from a ladder while cutting hedges at Shaw Cricket Club in June, 2013.

The funeral is on Thursday at St Paul’s Methodist Church, Shaw.

An inquest at Heywood Coroner’s Court yesterday ruled that Mr Andrew — a retired butcher — died of respiratory failure as a direct result of his spinal injury.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, assistant coroner Elaine Moloney said: “The accident was a catalyst for the chain of events resulting in Mr Andrew’s death. There was a two-year gap, but there was a clear progression in his deterioration.”

Mr Andrew had been trimming a hedge at the club’s Holebottom Clough ground as a favour for the team he had served for almost 60 years when he lost his balance and fell. He was found by a dog walker.

Son David, who rushed to the club as soon as he heard the news, said he was told by the ambulance driver that although Mr Andrew was conscious, it was “looking serious” as he had no feeling in his legs.

The grandfather-of-six and father-of-three received treatment at Salford Royal Hospital and was taken to a specialist spinal unit at Southport and Formby District General following the accident before being transferred to a care home in Preston then to his home in Milnrow Road, Shaw. But he was moved from there to the Middleton Court home in April, 2014.

Mrs Andrew said: “We never envisioned him coming home. My house was not right. We decided the best thing for Harry would be a care home. He settled well there.

Mr Andrew’s health gradually deteriorated and he was often admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties. The family managed to see him for a final time the day before he died.