TRAGIC new details have emerged following the death of Sir Richard Branson’s wife following a horror fall.
Lady Joan Sarah Drummond Branson, 80, passed away in November last year at The Lister Hospital.
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An inquest hearing was told previously Joan died following complications from a back injury she obtained as a result of a fall.
At a further hearing today, an expert said there is “clear evidence of pulmonary embolism” – a blood clot in the lungs.
He also said the “overwhelming likelihood is there was a DVT” (deep vein thrombosis) – a blood clot in a vein.
Professor Fiona Wilcox, senior coroner for Inner West London, told the hearing today that she hopes lessons will be learnt from the inquest.
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She added: “I want to explore the facts, come to the correct conclusions and learn lessons from this.”
Inner West London Coroner’s Court previously heard Joan’s family – including Sir Richard and her daughter Holly – are not looking to blame anyone for the tragedy.
Daughter Holly said: “I believe mum had great care. The doctors saved her life three years ago, giving us all three more years together.
“We just want to help other families if there are any lessons to be learned.”
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A full inquest next week will examine whether Joan should have been prescribed blood thinners and if she was wearing anti-clot stockings at the time of her death.
Sir Richard previously revealed his partner of 50 years had a history of blood clots going back as far as at least 2010.
He told how in 2018, Joan had woken up to find her leg three times the size it usually was.
Joan was prescribed Warfarin and given a compression clot but was warned she remained at risk of a “major pulmonary embolism”.
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He announced Joan had died in an emotional tribute to the “most wonderful mum and grandmum” on Instagram.
He wrote: “Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away.
“She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for.
“She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.
“Love you forever Joan x.”
At the time of her death, the Virgin tycoon was in the same hospital after he injured his shoulder in a bike accident.
The couple married in 1989 on Sir Richard’s Necker Island in the Caribbean Sea – which he later revealed he only bought to impress her.
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They share daughter Holly, 44, son, Sam, 40, and five grandchildren – Etta, Artie, Lola, Eva-Deia and Bluey.
A second daughter sadly died only four days after being born.