Torrington landlord died after electric scooter accident

A FORMER Torrington landlord and community stalwart died from the injuries he sustained after his electric motor scooter plunged down a flight of steps, an inquest has heard.

John Boyd, known in the community as Jack, was the landlord of the Admiral Vernon in Well Street for 16 years.

The Barnstaple inquest heard that Mr Boyd fell down some steps in his motor scooter outside Torrington Health Centre on April 30 injuring his rib cage.

His condition deteriorated and he died at North Devon District Hospital on May 18, aged 80.

In a statement read to the court, Mark Andrew Parsons said he had known Mr Boyd for 10 years and he and his wife were local characters.

Mr Parsons said he was outside Torrington Health Centre between 10am and 10.30am on April 30 with his car positioned at the bottom of the steps.

He said he saw Mr and Mrs Boyd come out of the health centre. Both use motor scooters and normally Mr Boyd would go out along the main road and meet up with his wife as his scooter was bigger.

In his statement Mr Parsons said: "He was waiting outside and all of a sudden I was aware of a movement. I could see his head above the wall as if it was gliding. His head came up and banged down. He was still in his motor scooter, his head was on the bottom step and the scooter was on its side."

The inquest heard that the battery powered scooter was in good working order.

Belfast-born Mr Boyd, of Warren Close, was involved in many projects in Torrington and raised thousands of pounds for the Appledore RNLI during his time as a landlord.

He was also instrumental in restoring the monument and the clock in the town's Square.

His son Andy previously told the Journal : "Dad was a gentleman and loved Torrington and loved being a part of its community.

"He was really proud of his fundraising for the lifeboat and was an innovator as a landlord being the first pub in town to start selling food around 1975."

He added: "Many people will remember mum and dad together — their smiling faces and juvenile antics.

"They would have a laugh with the youngsters in the town who would encourage them to race while they were scootering around — they were always laughing."

Coroner Elizabeth Earland recorded a verdict of accidental death at the Barnstaple inquest last Wednesday.