November 01, (THEWILL) – England footballing icon, Bobby Charlton, died last month after an accidental fall at his care home, an inquest heard today. The 86-year-old, who had been battling dementia, fell, after losing his balance while getting up from a chair at The Willows nursing home in Knutsford. He struck a window sill and possibly a radiator before being examined by staff.
Initially Charlton seemed mobile but swelling later emerged on his back. He was taken to hospital where tests revealed fractured ribs likely to cause pneumonia. Doctors made the decision to put Charlton on end-of-life care and he sadly passed away five days later on October 21.
The inquest heard how Charlton’s dementia made him unsteady while standing from a seated position. One of the heroes of England’s 1966 World Cup triumph, Charlton is regarded as one of the country’s greatest ever footballers. He made 758 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 249 goals.
A survivor of the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, Charlton helped United become European champions a decade later. His club goal record stood for 40 years until Wayne Rooney broke it in 2017. A memorial service for Charlton’s life will be held at Manchester Cathedral on November 13.
The football world continues to mourn the death of a true icon. However, the details emerging from the inquest on the sad circumstances of Bobby Charlton’s passing are a reminder of his brave struggle with dementia in his final years.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
