Key Points:
- Constantin Silvio Ditescu, 55, from Beckton, died after sustaining head injuries in a fall
- Incident took place on March 9 outside Kingsway Pharmacy, Barking Road, East Ham
- Ditescu had been drinking with friends and “stumbled backwards”
- He was taken to Royal London Hospital but died on March 18
- East London Coroner Graeme Irvine formally opened an inquest
- Coroner ordered GP and hospital records, paramedic statements, and toxicology tests
- Ditescu’s family named “interested persons” with legal rights to view evidence and question witnesses
- Final inquest set for June 30 at East London Coroner’s Court in Walthamstow
Constantin Silvio Ditescu, 55, of Richard House Drive in Newham, collapsed outside Kingsway Pharmacy on Barking Road in East Ham on March 9 after drinking with friends. He lost balance and fell, sustaining a serious brain injury, according to senior East London coroner Graeme Irvine. Ditescu was rushed to Royal London Hospital for emergency treatment. Despite efforts from medical staff, he died from his injuries on March 18.
What caused Constantin Ditescu’s fatal fall?
During a hearing at East London Coroner’s Court in Walthamstow, coroner Graeme Irvine explained that Mr Ditescu had been out drinking with friends before he “stumbled backwards” and hit his head outside the pharmacy. The fall resulted in a traumatic brain injury that proved fatal.
What did the court decide at the opening of the inquest?
The inquest into Mr Ditescu’s death was officially opened on March 8. Coroner Irvine issued a series of disclosure orders to gather full medical and incident-related evidence. This includes Ditescu’s general practitioner records, hospital records from Royal London, and formal statements from the paramedics who responded to the scene.
Toxicology tests were also ordered to analyse blood samples taken when Mr Ditescu was admitted to hospital. These will help establish whether alcohol or other substances were in his system and at what concentration.
What does “interested persons” status mean for Ditescu’s family?
Mr Ditescu’s family has been granted the legal status of “interested persons” by the court. This entitles them to access all submitted evidence in advance of the hearing and to cross-examine any witnesses called to testify during the final inquest.
When will the final inquest hearing take place?
The full inquest is scheduled for June 30 at East London Coroner’s Court in Walthamstow. Its purpose is to determine how Mr Ditescu died and whether any recommendations can be made to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the inquest progresses, further evidence may shed light on the exact circumstances that led to the fall, and whether more could have been done at any stage to prevent the fatal outcome.
