Customer who choked on food at Christchurch Toby Carvery is named

AN elderly man who died after choking on his food while eating at a Christchurch Toby Carvery has been identified as Terence Lane.

The 80-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after paramedic teams, including an air ambulance, were sent to the restaurant in Lyndhurst Road in response to the emergency shortly before 2pm last Tuesday.

As reported in the A&T, staff had tried in vain to save Mr Lane, a retired navigation officer who lived in Southcliffe Road.

Officers from Dorset Police attended amid reports of a sudden death, but a spokesperson for the force confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.

An inquest opened at Bournemouth Coroner’s Court on Monday was told a post-mortem examination established choking on food was the cause of death.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, a spokesperson for Toby Carvery Hinton said: “Very sadly, despite the efforts of the team and emergency services, a gentleman passed away when dining at the restaurant yesterday afternoon.

“The thoughts of the team go out to the family.”

There is set to be a full inquest at the Bournemouth court on 21st May next year.