A grandad died when he choked on a large piece of rump steak at a pub, an inquest has heard. Derek Henry Mitchell, 81, known as Mitch, went to the Famous Old Spa on Dorchester Road in Weymouth on the evening of Thursday, January 6 for a family meal with his wife, brother-in-law and sister-in-law.
He ordered a rump steak meal, but did not have a steak knife to cut the meat. Derek requested a steak knife from a member of staff, but started to eat his steak before they returned, reports DorsetLive.
He began to choke on a large piece of meat and stood up to seek medical assistance from his family. An off-duty police officer attempted the Heimlich manoeuvre and an off-duty nurse performed CPR while a 999 call was made.
Paramedics arrived and attempted for several minutes to remove the obstruction in Mr Mitchell’s throat while CPR was carried out. Crews administered adrenaline and a defibrillator to restart his heart, but were unsuccessful.
Attempts to get air into his lungs were also ineffective. Mr Mitchell was pronounced dead at 7.58pm. A post-mortem examination was carried out and the cause of death was asphyxia.
His family said Derek had choked on two previous incidents and he had “always been a fast eater and always told he needed to chew his food more.”
Coroner Debbie Rookes said: “On January 6, 2022, Derek Mitchell was having a meal when he choked on food and became unresponsive. Mr Mitchell died at the scene at the Famous Old Spa pub on 229 Dorchester Road, Weymouth. The conclusion I reach is an accident."
Derek’s family expressed their thanks and gratitude to paramedics for trying to revive him. The pub was cleared of any blame.
