THE death of a Brierley Hill man who passed away on an operating table at Russells Hall Hospital was accidental, an inquest was told.

Paul Footman, aged 62, of Terrace Street, was admitted to Russells Hall Hospital just after 11am on November 2, 2016, for an urgent operation to remove a metal plate from his right arm following an infection.

Black Country Coroners Court was told that while in theatre before the operation was due to start, Mr Footman went into cardiac arrest and died.

Following a post mortem examination, the blood sample which was analysed showed tryptase levels of 200mg per litre – nearly 100 times the normal value of two to 14mg per litre.

Senior Black Country Coroner Zafar Siddique concluded Mr Footman’s death was accidental due to a “massive” allergic reaction to the anaesthetic he was given prior to surgery.