A SALISBURY man died after swallowing his dentures, an inquest heard.

Barry Kenneth Smith, of Folly View, Bemerton Heath, Salisbury, died on August 17, 2021, at his home. 

The inquest, held on October 14 at Wiltshire and Swindon Coroners Court in Salisbury, heard that Mr Smith had a history of complex medical issues. This meant that the 52-year-old was unable to eat through his mouth, so he had to feed through a tube, which he could administer himself.

Area coroner Ian Singleton told the inquest that on August 17, Mr Smith's sister, Claire Reed, attended his home address after she hadn't heard from him. She entered using a key safe and found her brother deceased in his living room. 

After finding he was 'as cold as ice' she called the ambulance, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dr Matthew Flynn, consultant pathologist, conducted a post-mortem and found the cause of death to be a blockage of the airways through a denture.

Mr Singleton said: "Barry Smith suffered from a number of health conditions. On August 17, he was found dead at his home and looked like he was about to start feeding. He had not been to the dentist since 2013."

The coroner ruled that the cause of death was 'accidental'. He gave his condolences to the family.

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