Retired sheet metal worker Stephen Brandon, 72, of Marmion Avenue, died on July 24.
An inquest into his death was opened at East London Coroner’s Court, Walthamstow, on Tuesday (August 5).
Whilst eating at home, coroner’s officer Jean Smyth told the court, “a large piece of orange got stuck and he choked. His partner started CPR and London Ambulance Service attended.”
He was rushed to Whipps Cross Hospital but, as his condition deteriorated, “a decision was made to withdraw care and Stephen passed away.”
His cause of death was given as a hypoxic brain injury (meaning the brain was starved of oxygen) and cardiac arrest caused by choking.
Coroner Nadia Persaud said she was satisfied the death required an inquest.
Coroners are required to hold public investigations, in the public interest, into all unnatural or unexplained deaths and whether future similar deaths might be avoidable.
She declared Mr Brandon’s family “interested persons” – a legal status entitling them to be represented, to view evidence ahead of the final inquest and to question any witnesses called to testify.
Mrs Persaud said she would like her officers to seek from the family “any details that can be provided about the choking incident”.
She also wanted to know whether there were any pre-existing concerns about Mr Brandon’s swallowing, whether his GP was aware of any such concerns and whether he had been referred to a specialist.
She requested a copy of Mr Brandon’s GP records, a copy of the records from the ambulance service attendance and a statement from the paramedics who dealt with Mr Brandon’s airway.
From Whipps Cross, she asked for a report setting out Mr Brandon’s condition on arrival, the history provided to them and the treatment he received.
The final inquest was provisionally listed for February.
