The father of Olympic silver medallist William Fox-Pitt died four days after a fall at his Canterbury home.

An inquest into his death was held yesterday - just two days after the equestrian star scooped the gong in the team event at the London games.

A coroner heard his father - also called William Fox-Pitt - was struck down with pneumonia after fracturing ribs in the stumble at his home in Knowlton Court.

The retired investment banker and farmer, 79, died at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital on January 9.

His family had been told he was too unwell to be taken to a private hospital in London.

The hearing at Canterbury was told no one had witnessed Mr Fox-Pitt’s fall on the evening of January 5, but he was found sitting on a chair at the bottom of the stairs.

Andrew, elder brother of three-time Olympic medalist William, told the inquest he had rushed his father to Margate’s QEQM Hospital.

A chest x-ray revealed rib fractures to Mr Fox-Pitt senior’s right side and he was transferred during the early hours to Canterbury.

Pneoumonia was diagnosed and Mr Fox-Pitt, who had previously suffered a stroke, began antibiotic treatment on January 7. This was adjusted on January 9, but he died that night.

Pathologist Dr David Rouse said the post-mortem examination revealed it more likely Mr Fox-Pitt had fallen on the level rather than down the stairs, which had been suspected by his family.

Coroner Rebecca Cobb recorded a verdict of accidental death.