A FALL at a York petrol station led to the death of a Freeman of the city a few days after the accident.

Retired taxi driver Philip Bowman was filling up his car with fuel at the Sainsbury’s store at Monks Cross when he tripped on a metal grate and fractured his hip.

After an operation at York Hospital, his condition deteriorated and he died on August 20 last year.

An inquest heard the fall was a “significant” factor in his death.

Mr Bowman, who was 73, had moved from York to Stamford Bridge in 2005. He had worked for Station Taxis for 35 years and became a Freeman of the City of York by inheritance in 1989, working to raise funds for Alne Hall Cheshire Home, near Easingwold.

He was also president of the Freemen of England and Wales for three years from 2005, having previously been a councillor for York’s Monk ward in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He became well-known for his after-dinner speeches and knowledge of York’s history, and 200 people attended his funeral.

The inquest heard the former Bootham School pupil, who left a wife of 46 years, Margaret, had a history of chronic kidney disease and diabetes.

The accident, on August 12 last year, was partially caught on the store’s CCTV cameras. However, solicitors acting for Sainsbury’s said none of the outlet’s staff had witnessed it.

Mr Bowman’s daughter, Philippa Millward, said in a statement: “He seemed okay the day after his operation, but the following day he seemed drowsy and confused and on August 18 I was told his condition was not good and he was not expected to survive the night.

“I saw him again on the evening of August 20 and it appeared he had passed away.”

Giving evidence, pathologist Dr Nicola Maughan said that, despite Mr Bowman’s general health condition, there was nothing to suggest his life would have been in danger had it not been for the effects of the fall.

York coroner Donald Coverdale recorded a verdict of accidental death and said: “It is clear that without this unfortunate incident and the fracture which resulted, there is no reason to believe Mr Bowman would have died at that time and that he would not have continued with the level of health he enjoyed.”