The manager of one of the city's popular pubs died from a brain injury after falling down a flight of stairs.
Thomas Mulvanny Hawthorne, who had managed The Lab in the Merchant City, was visiting a former colleague in Preston when he fell and suffered catastrophic injuries on April 4 of this year.
The 56-year-old was described as 'irreplaceable' and 'a true gentlemen' by friends and colleagues after the tragic accident.
An inquest into his death was held at Preston Coroner’s Court and detailed that he had been admitted to hospital after being found at the bottom of some stairs but died two weeks later, reports Lancashire Live.
During the inquest, Area Coroner Richard Taylor read out a statement from Dr Thomas Owen who treated Mr Hawthorne during his stay in hospital.
“He was admitted to the Royal Preston Hospital after being found at the bottom of some stairs,” Mr Taylor said.
“A CT scan revealed he had suffered an extensive subdural and subarachnoid haemorrhage. He also had multiple rib fractures and a skull fracture.”
Mr Hawthorne was taken to theatre where surgeons carried out a decompressive craniectomy to remove a portion of the skull and to evacuate the haemorrhage.
“Unfortunately his conscious level didn’t improve significantly and after discussion with the family, active care was removed and he passed away at 6.15am on April 23 in intensive care,” Mr Taylor added.
The medical cause of death was given as traumatic brain injury and Mr Taylor gave a conclusion of accidental death.
Keith Richardson, who worked with Mr Hawthorne for 15 years at The Lab, paid tribute to his friend at the time of his death and said he was a “one-off” and was “irreplaceable”.
Mr Richardson said: “It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we let you know of the passing, after a tragic accident, of our beloved friend and colleague Thomas Hawthorne.
“Big Tam, as we called him, was a larger than life personality and a particular favourite of many of you who come to the Lab.
“Irreplaceable is an often misused term, but in this situation, it could not be truer.
“Big Tam was a one-off and the Lab, and the world, is a far less happier and exciting place to be in.”
Hundreds of comments were posted on The Lab’s Facebook page after Mr Hawthorne died with customers describing him as “a true gentleman” and “a beautiful man”.
Joyce Thomson said Mr Hawthorne had “a massive personality with the most generous of hearts” while Gordon Roberts described his death as “an absolute tragedy”.
