96-year-old dies while abseiling for charity - at a HOSPITAL

An elderly woman died while abseiling down a 70ft hospital wall for charity.

The unnamed 96-year-old woman had managed merely a tenth of the descent when she got into difficulties.

The pensioner suffered a suspected heart attack at Crawley Hospital in West Sussex where, despite medical help, she could not be resuscitated.

The entrance to Crawley Hospital where the elderly woman died yesterday

The entrance to Crawley Hospital where the elderly woman died yesterday

The woman, who was believed to be taking part in her ninth charity abseil, was one of 50 people taking part in the event for Blind 4SIGHT yesterday.

Fire crews were called to aid the woman but was declared dead.

In a statement, the charity said: ‘4Sight have announced that the second half of their charity abseil at Crawley Hospital had to be called off.

‘A female participant, who had previously taken part in several other charity abseils, was taken ill just as she was due to proceed, and was attended to by the team and emergency services staff, which led to the closure of the abseil area to other participants.

‘The woman was later declared dead at the scene. The matter will be passed to the Coroner's officer.

‘No further details will be released by 4Sight or the emergency services until the family have been informed. We are extremely saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts are with her family at this time."

A spokesman for Sussex Police said they were aware of the incident and were passing a file to the coroner.