Woman, 70, died after being upside down for 36 hours

AN elderly woman survived 36 hours hanging upside down from a window only to die from a “cascade of tragic events” two days later.

The tragic details emerged during an inquest yesterday into the death of Patricia Butler, 70, who lived in a bungalow outside Cork city.

The city coroner’s court heard how Ms Butler, who was a very fit and active woman with a keen interest in gardening, discovered she was accidentally locked out of her home on a sunny morning last August.

She used a step ladder to reach and climb through a small window at the back of the house and had almost made it through when her ankle became snagged on part of the window’s locking mechanism.

She remained suspended by her foot for 36 hours – until just after 10pm the following night when a neighbour called.

She later told her family she heard the postman call and the telephone ring in the house as one of her sons tried to contact her.

He became so concerned when there was no answer the next day he telephoned a neighbour who immediately investigated.

The court heard Ms Butler said: “I knew someone would come.”

Another neighbour who was a trained nurse was alerted and she eased Ms Butler to the floor, before gaining entry to the house by climbing through the same window.

City coroner Dr Myra Cullinane was told Ms Butler was fully conscious and alert after her ordeal, had a cup of tea, told neighbours what had happened and even helped them find items to pack before she was taken to Cork University Hospital suffering from hypothermia.

But because she had spent so long upside down, the circulatory system in the legs had been compromised.

Her condition deteriorated over the next 24 hours and as blood flowed back in to her injured leg, it began to swell and her muscles produced compounds which resulted in the breakdown of the muscles, then to kidney failure, and ultimately total organ failure. She died the following day.

Dr Cullinane recorded a verdict of accidental death.

“She must have been strong in her will and personality to endure such an ordeal,” Dr Cullinane said.