Southampton blind man's balcony fall death 'a gross failing'

Mark Williams' body was found outside Potters Court - a council-run block with assisted living - on November 9, 2021.

Speaking at the inquest into the 60-year-old's death yesterday, his daughter Jessy said she had raised multiple concerns about his new flat being so high up due to his eyesight.

But Ms Williams said the person she spoke to from the Potters Court housing department 'wasn’t very responsive' to her concerns - despite him getting 'lost in the corridors'.

Lucy and Jessy Williams. (Image: NQ)

She said: "I have always been very close to my father, and I know that he is physically able to open the balcony door.

"I think there have been gross failings from the council for housing him on the fourth floor."

READ MORE: Tributes paid for Southampton man who died at Potters Court

Mr Williams moved to the facility because he was struggling with the stairs in his top-floor flat in Wimpson Lane.

His daughter Jessy arrived to a chaotic scene on the morning he died.

She said: “Nothing could prepare me for what I was about to see. 

“When I arrived nobody was there to direct me so I was screaming 'where is he'.

“There was another carer and a paramedic next to him.

“His body was not covered properly. We were told they suspect my father had committed suicide.

"I do not consider he was suicidal."

Mark Williams. (Image: Supplied)

A haemorrhage and a fall from height were given as the cause of death. 

A pathologist found Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the active component of cannabis - in his bloodstream along with morphine and two anti-psychotic medicines. 

Winchester Coroner's Court heard he had been taking cannabis oil following a diagnosis of lymphoma and that he had at least 900 times the limit of the drug in his system at the time of his death.

Area coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp said: "Personally I have not seen a level this high."

READ MORE: Inquest opens into death of Mark Williams

Ms Williams told the inquest that the medication should have been locked away.

Once, she caught her father drinking liquid morphine from the bottle as he could not measure out a dose. 

She did not believe the fall was intentional: "We were very close as a family and Mark loved to participate and get involved.

"The cancer treatment was going well and seemed positive. Mark was also really excited for a holiday we had planned.

"I think my father became disorientated in the flat which led to his fall."

Dr Michael Barnfield, Mr Williams' GP for 30 years, said he did not think Mr Williams was depressed, adding: "I thought he'd just got up to go to the toilet and just toppled over the balcony.

"With all the cutbacks in 20, 30 years, there are no homes for the blind.

"He didn't need to be on the fourth floor."

The inquest continues.