AN AMATUER football player who fractured his leg in a match was killed by deep vein thrombosis because of his cast, an inquest heard.

Mark Prewer had been an otherwise healthy 35-year-old man when he injured his right fibula while playing last September.

Five weeks later he collapsed in a hospital lift and died after his GP recommended him for further tests when he developed chest problems after a cold.

A coroner heard how Mr Prewer had no other underlying health conditions when he turned up to see Dr Neena Grover complaining of shortness of breath.

When she referred him for an x-ray, D-dimer and blood tests to see if he was at risk of DVT he made it as far as the to the Royal Berkshire Hospital's A&E department ground floor when he collapsed.

On-call emergency teams rushed him to a resuscitation room but after around an hour of life-saving efforts he was pronounced dead at 5.34pm on October 20, 2015.

Coroner Emma Jones told Mr Prewer's family there was nothing else that could have been done and that staff did "everything they could".

Mr Prewer, of Sherman Road, Katesgrove, earlier visited his doctor complaining of breathing difficulties and had made his own way to the hospital, walking in through the front doors with his cast still intact.

Pathologist Dr Fayaz Musa said: "In my opinion the cause of death was natural and it was a result of pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis of the leg.

"Presumably the cast in situ might well have precipitated the deep vein thrombosis in the leg, however this is not definite."

Miss Jones said: "By the time Mr Prewer attended the GP surgery, and then in a couple of hours the hospital, I think we were then past the point of no return."

Recording a verdict of accidental death she said: "I find that there is a causal connection between the accident which caused the fracture and Mr Pewer's subsequent death and therefore a formal conclusion of accidental death will be recorded."

Speaking after the inquest Mr Prewer's sister, Victoria Akid, said: "Mark was a much loved son, brother, uncle and friend.

"We all miss him desperately but we are grateful to the medical staff at the Royal Berks who did everything possible to save him."