A great-grandmother died from multiple injuries after being hit while in a wheelchair in the grounds of Maidstone Hospital.

The inquest into the death of Jean Downing from Staplehurst was opened at the Archbishop’s Palace.

It heard that on Tuesday, May 30, the 95-year-old, of Crowther Close, was hit by a sign in the grounds of the Hermitage Lane hospital.

Mrs Downing, a mother of three, had just left an appointment to check on her pacemaker, and was sitting in the sun while her carer went to validate a parking ticket.

She was near the birthing centre at the back of the hospital when a red Toyota Yaris mounted the kerb and struck the sign, which then hit her.

She was flown to King's College Hospital in London, but died later that day.

A post-mortem examination determined that Mrs Downing had died from multiple injuries.

Katrina Hepburn, assistant coroner for Mid-Kent and Medway adjourned the full inquest until Monday, September 11.

Police are appealing for information from anyone who saw the accident at Maidstone Hospital. Call 01622 798538 or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk quoting DS/MW/116/17.