A HAMPSHIRE pensioner died after lying trapped in her bath in agony for more than a week.

Irene Vyse slipped and knocked herself unconscious while she was trying to get out of the bath, an inquest heard.

The 81-year-old, who lived alone, spent eight days lying helplessly in six inches of water before a neighbour phoned the police.

A concerned newspaper delivery worker had raised the alarm after not seeing Miss Vyse for several days.

Miss Vyse died next day at Southampton General Hospital of multiple organ failure, hypothermia and decomposition of both legs.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard how PC Scott Graham broke into Miss Vyse’s bungalow in Mill Lane, Romsey, after hearing a faint cry for help while calling for her through her letterbox.

PC Graham, based at Romsey police station, said: “I shouted through the let-terbox and thought I could hear a faint reply. I was hit by a pungent smell. I pushed open the door and then walked into the room. As I looked to my right I saw Irene lying naked in the bath. Most of the bathwater had been removed. I picked up a bath towel and covered her dignity.

“I could see that her skin had turned black under the water level. I talked to her but she was unable to answer as her lips were blistered and sealed close.”

He added that Miss Vyse became more talkative after he gave her several glasses of water. An ambulance was called and she was taken to the General Hospital.

Doctors said there was nothing they could have done to save her life. She died the next day surrounded by her family.

PC Graham added: “It became clear that she had decided to take a bath. She fell backwards and banged her head against the back of the bath and knocked herself out. She had been in the bath for a week or possibly longer. She was in immense pain.”

The inquest heard that newspapers dated April 14 lay unread below her letterbox. It was not until April 22 that she was found.

Deputy coroner for Hampshire Simon Burge recorded a verdict of accidental death. He said: “How she survived for as long as she did goodness knows as she had no food. This is a tragedy. It’s the most appalling way to end one’s life through circumstances not of her making.”