An ‘outgoing and friendly’ young woman died a month after she slipped down a set of nightclub stairs on her way to the toilet with a friend, an inquest heard.
Georgia Harry, 26, described by family as ‘bubbly’ and ‘fun’, was out with friends in Liverpool when she fell down a set of stairs in Lost Bar in the early hours of March 17.
An inquest at Gerard Majella Courthouse heard how she had met with her friend Michael Pollard at Punch Tarmey’s at around 3pm on March 16, before heading out with pals.
Mr Pollard then saw the civil servant again when arriving at the nightclub on Seel Street at around 2am, adding that Georgia had drank both lager and vodka while with in his presence.
At about 2.15am, the pair separated from the group to go to the toilets which were located on the basement floor of the building, the inquest was told.
But as they headed down the flight of stairs, Georgia’s legs ‘went from beneath her’, and she hit her head on the concrete floor as she held her friend arm.
Sean Moogan, who was not drinking at the time, recalled witnessing a man and a woman walking down the stairs as he left the toilets.
Recalling Georgia’s fall, he said her legs had given way, swinging to the same height as his head, as she began to fall – around six steps away from the bottom floor.
Georgia Harry, 26, (pictured) described by family as ‘bubbly’ and ‘fun’, was out with friends in Liverpool when she fell down a set of stairs in Lost Bar in the early hours of March 17
As she headed down the flight of stairs with Michael Pollard, Georgia’s legs ‘went from beneath her’, and she then hit her head on the concrete floor as she held her friend’s arm
Mr Pollard rushed to help the 26-year-old, shouting her name as the fall rendered her unconscious, Mr Moogan said.
According to The Liverpool Echo, the personal trainer, who is first-aid trained, urged Mr Pollard to calm down.
He also advised the friend to move away from Georgia so her body remained still to prevent any injuries worsening.
The 26-year-old was rushed to Aintree Hospital, where she underwent a blood test and an assessment, before being transferred to the Walton Centre.
She remained in critical condition and on life support until she passed away on April 13 of this year.
A ‘low level of ketamine’ was found in Georgia’s system, a toxocology report found. She also had an alcohol reading of 294, around three-and-a-half times the drink-driving limit.
Aoife Magill, an environmental health officer for Liverpool City Council visited the premises following the incident,
She discovered there was no slip strips on the stairs, with the bar instructed to have them in place in future.
Area Coroner for Liverpool and Wirral, Ms Anita Bhardwaj, said Georgia ‘more than likely’ slipped on the stairs.
However, she could not definitively say due to CCTV being obstructed by a person walking behind Mr Pollard and Georgia. A police probe found Georgia was not pushed down the stairs.
She remained in critical condition and on life support until she passed away on April 13 of this year
In a statement, Detective Inspector Dillon of Merseyside Police, said Mr Pollard was seen taking something from his jumper before he and Georgia linked arms.
Later, between two CCTV cameras, Georgia was seen ‘falling at speed’ down the staircase before hitting her head on the ground.
A post mortem concluded her cause of death a result of an extensive brain injury caused by a fall.
Ms Bhardwaj said: ‘More likely than not that Georgia has died from the injuries sustained from the fall.
‘From the evidence we have heard, there is nothing to suggest that it was nothing more than an accident.’
It comes after her devastated mother, Nicola Poolton, 44, led tributes to her daughter, who she described her as a ‘strong fighter’ that ‘fought until the end’.
She added: ‘She was a hard-working girl who loved to have fun with her friends and going on holidays. She was so sociable.’
Reflecting on Ms Harry’s terrifying time during the ICU, Ms Poolton said: ‘We were told on the night that they didn’t think she would make it through the night.
‘But when we turned off life support she survived for five days.’
A post mortem concluded her cause of death a result of an extensive brain injury caused by a fall (Pictured: Lost Bar on Seel Street)
Ms Harry, who lived with her mum and two dachshunds, Mabel and Maggie, worked at Liverpool Passport Office based within the city centre.
A moving obituary notice declaring Ms Harry’s passing stated that she had died ‘peacefully in hospital surrounded by her loving family’.
It added: ‘Much loved daughter of Nicola and David. Georgia will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
‘To our darling daughter. We miss you the world our beautiful miracle. We love you the world and back.’
