Relief for Grange family over inquest date (From Knutsford Guardian)

11:50am Saturday 11th April 2009

A DATE has been set for an inquest into the death of veteran councillor Bert Grange.

His widow, Celia, said the family members were relieved they would soon get the answers they wanted.

“I’m very pleased that a date has been set,” she said.

“There are certain questions that haven’t been answered properly and we want them to be answered.”

Almost a year ago Mr Grange, 77, suffered an aneurysm and underwent keyhole surgery.

He was transferred from intensive care to a general ward and his family expected him to recover.

However, on June 12 last year Mr Grange is believed to have fallen out of bed.

The county councillor and former Knutsford town mayor died just hours later in Manchester Royal Infirmary.

Mr Grange’s family have waited months for officials to schedule an inquest.

But now the Manchester City Coroner’s Court has contacted the family to say a date has been set for the hearing.

It will take place at the Coroner’s Court in Crown Square, Manchester, at 2pm on May 12.

Officials have prepared a file for the hearing, which will attempt to explain why Mr Grange died.

Hospital staff, witnesses and family members are expected to be called to give evidence.

Last week Mrs Grange, of Boothfields, Knutsford, declined to say exactly what answers the family wanted.

But she said the upcoming inquest would help them to move on.

“You can’t do anything while you’re waiting, can you?” she said.

Last year the Guardian revealed a hospital trust had apologised to Mr Grange’s family following an investigation into his death.

Central Manchester and Manchester Children’s University Hospital NHS Trust said it had taken action.

It discussed those issues with the family.

But the Trust would not reveal details to the Guardian.

Mr Grange was a former town councillor and had still been serving as a county councillor when he died.

He was known as ‘Mr Knutsford’.

The veteran politician had been due to join the new Cheshire East Council earlier this month on April 1.

He was also chairman of Tatton Park’s select panel and founder of the Bert Grange Band.

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