Calls have been made for handrails to be installed at St Mary's after a fan fell down stairs during a match - and chose to die rather than live life in a wheelchair.
Simon Oakley died on November 13, 2023 - more than a month on from his fall in the stands at the stadium that left him with a fractured spine and in cardiac arrest.
His brother Brian has said he is "surprised" that handrails haven't been installed and he is "sure" that it would have made a difference.
The Oslo Towers resident suffered a fall just before half time in Southampton's 1-1 draw with Rotherham at St Mary's on October 7 last year.
An inquest held on Wednesday heard how he was seen rolling down ten stairs before coming to a stop at the bottom where first aiders rushed to his aid.
He was left in hospital, choosing to have his ventilator switched off and donate his organs to other patients rather than continue with surgery.
Nobody saw how he fell and there is not enough evidence to reveal how it happened, coroner Kiran Chahal-Musgrave concluded.
Brian, 84, said: "We said it from day one that there should be handrails there. It wouldn’t cost a fortune for a football club to support it.
"I am sure the handrails could have made a difference. There is no way that I blame Southampton Football Club at all. It was an accident.
"But I do think it would be a good idea for them to install it on the wide stairways. It is essential.
"I just wish something had come out of it that they had done something since."
The inquest heard how Simon was hospitalised on the day of the incident and was offered surgery to fix his spine.
His older brother described him as a "very brave man at the end to know that he was going to die and he donated his organs".
He added that he was a "nice guy" and although they were not close, said it was "one hell of a shock" when he found out what had happened, having attended the game himself.
No mention was made of handrails during the inquest and there is currently no requirement for football clubs to install them.
No suggestion has been made by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority or the Safety Advisory Group that handrails should officially be installed at St Mary's, the Echo understands.
'It all happened so fast'
Coroner Kiran Chahal-Musgrave returned an open conclusion at the inquest at Winchester Coroners Court on Wednesday.
She said she was unable to find the reason why Simon fell.
Simon's friend, Andrew Tackle, said: "I was standing next to Simon watching the game and the next thing I saw he was rolling down the stairs in front of me.
"It all happened so fast. I did not know how he fell. The first responders came very quickly."
He added that they had been watching the game as they started walking down the stairs and that Simon had two pints earlier that day but was not intoxicated.
A consultant at the hospital said: "Mr Oakley wished consistently to die. It was not a life for him to be on a ventilator or in a wheelchair."
A provisional cause of death was given as a spinal cord injury, secondary to a fall.
The coroner added: "Based on the evidence I have before me I am unable to find what caused him to be on the floor that day."
St Mary's 'frightening'
A campaigner who attended the inquest into Simon Oakley's death, David Davies branded St Mary's 'frightening' due to a lack of handrails.
The 61-year-old from Fair Oak has campaigned for years to have handrails installed at St Mary's having attended the ground with his father who has Parkinson's disease.
He said: "My condolences go to his family and friends. I think this was entirely preventable.
"I think if there'd been handrails in place and having been a season ticket holder and seen people with mobility issues I am clear there is an issue.
"Anyone that goes to the stadium and looks will see people struggling up and down the stairs, it's a frightening experience.
"I think that something could and should have been done."
Mr Davies had previously spoken with staff at the club about the possibility of installing handrails but nothing was done.
Southampton Football Club was approached for comment.
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