Great-grandfather, 82, in intensive care after falling from window at Sunderland Royal Hospital

Eighty-two-year-old Edward Cockburn is intubated but is in a stable condition at Newcastle Royal Infirmary after falling from a second-floor window at the hospital, off Chester Road, on Sunday night (March 15), his family told the Echo.

They are now asking how and why the grandfather-of-10 was able to leave the ward - where he was being treated for mild pneumonia after being admitted with a cold – and fall from a window.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Mr Cockburn’s eldest daughter, Lyn Paolo, said: “My brother visited him on Sunday night and said that he appeared agitated and wasn’t himself at all.

“Last night at 10.30pm he received a call saying that my dad had a fall and had injured himself but there was no real sense of emergency.

“He went to the hospital and found that he was actually back down in the emergency unit with massive injuries.”

The family say they were told their dad, a former miner, had gotten up out of bed, gotten himself dressed, and managed to leave the ward, which they say had a secured door and should have required a pin code.

Mr Cockburn’s family say the pensioner, who they described as being fit and healthy for his age, then managed to open a window and fell two storeys to the concrete below.

His family say the great-grandfather suffered fractures in his pelvis and back, broken ribs, internal bleeding and injuries to his kidney and abdomen.

Lyn, who has lived in Los Angles for 30 years, is now struggling to get a flight to the UK with the current restrictions in place due to the coronavirus outbreak.

“I haven’t been given any idea of a timeline so we have no idea when he fell and how long he was left unattended outside in the cold in pain,” said the concerned daughter.

“Dad went in with a cold and he ends up in intensive care with massive trauma. He shouldn’t be there.

“He’s well known in the community and well liked, everybody loves him - he’s like everybody’s grandad.

“We’re are really just so shocked that his has happened.”

Mr Cockburn was due to be released on Monday, March 16, but his family say he had been kept in hospital so a Covid-19 test could be carried out – which has came back as negative.

Melanie Johnson, executive director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals at the NHS foundation trust, said: “An elderly patient being cared for at Sunderland Royal was transferred to the RVI in Newcastle overnight after suffering a fall.

“The safety and welfare of every patient in our care is our absolute priority and we have been in touch with Mr Cockburn’s family to explain the situation and ensure they are kept fully updated as we investigate what happened.”

Mr Cockburn’s family say they will continue to fight for answers and have also contacted the Downhill resident’s member of parliament.

Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington and Sunderland West, said:“My thoughts are with Mr Cockburn and his family at this distressing time. This never should have happened and I have written to Sunderland Royal Hospital for a full explanation as to why it did happen.

“I am in contact with Mr Cockburn’s family and if they should need any assistance at this time, then they can get in touch with me and I will do all that I can to help.”