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A pensioner has tragically died after choking on his Christmas dinner while eating out at a hotel in Exmouth.
Douglas Gregory, a married business owner, was having a meal at the Devoncourt Hotel, Douglas Avenue, in Exmouth on December 1, when he suddenly required medical assistance. Despite everyone’s best efforts, the 83-year-old passed away at the hotel at around 1.25pm.
An inquest has recently opened into his death at Exeter Coroner’s Court. During the short hearing, it was confirmed Mr Gregory was born in Salford and lived Minehead.
Senior coroner Philip Spinney said: “The circumstances of the death are Douglas was eating a Christmas meal at the hotel when he began gasping for air. Despite the best efforts of hotel staff and emergency services he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“The cause of death given is inhalation of food material.”
The inquest was adjourned for a full hearing to be held at a later date. In May, East Devon planners rejected contentious plans to demolish Devoncourt Hotel and replace it with a combination of apartments and a hotel.
The proposal was to build 66 homes and a new smaller 65 bed hotel. Fierce opposition saw around 180 objections submitted and just three in favour of the proposals.
The hotel, once regarded as the finest in Exmouth, was saved from demolition but its long-term fate is still hanging in the balance.
