A beloved grandfather who was visiting the Norfolk coast on a bowling holiday died after falling at a seaside hotel.  

An inquest into the death of Harold Cox heard how the Newark resident had arrived by coach for a five-day excursion with friends at Potters Resorts. 

The trip was organised by members of Mr Cox's local bowls club, and he had spent the first day enjoying watching the bowls and socialising with others. 

However, during the second night of the holiday on February 7, the 89-year-old widower collapsed after waking up in the night to use the toilet. 

He was taken from the hotel at Hopton-on-Sea, near Great Yarmouth, to nearby James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston. Medics operated on a fracture he had sustained, and he was given blood transfusions. 

Mr Cox remained at the James Paget until February 25, when he was discharged to Beaumond House Hospice in Newark for end-of-life care.   

Harold Cox died at Beamont House Hospice in Newark Harold Cox died at Beaumond House Hospice in Newark (Image: Google Street View)A retired packer, who had lived alone and independently for 17 years, Mr Cox died the next day. 

Following his death, donations were raised in his memory for Beaumond House Hospice Care. 

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A tribute from Mr Cox's family, which was shared online, read: "We got you home Dad.

"You will be very much missed and never forgotten by your family and friends." 

Area coroner, Yvonne Blake, concluded that Mr Cox’s death was as a result of natural causes. 

She added: “He had a terribly stormy path after what should have been a nice bowling trip for him, and a very nasty fracture by the sounds of it.” 

Ms Blake also passed on her condolences to the family.