A film promoter died from a brain haemorrhage after falling off a ladder as he hung up bunting for the Diamond Jubilee, an inquest heard.
Michael Wheeler, 71, slipped from the fifth rung outside his Ealing home in May, Westminster coroner’s court was told.
The promoter, who helped launch movies including The Shawshank Redemption, Bugsy Malone and Emmanuelle, “enjoyed the company and trust of many major film stars and directors” and was “loved and respected by so many”, said coroner’s officer Kim Bedwell.
Mr Wheeler, who also designed posters, was admitted to hospital where a scan revealed extensive bleeding on the brain and he deteriorated. His partner, Sean O’Scolai, was with him when he died.
Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox said the bleeding would have been exacerbated by the blood-thinning drug warfarin he had been taking on prescription. Mr Wheeler suffered from heart disease and diabetes.
