A 50-year-old man died from complications after having surgery to remove a cancerous tumour in his colon, an inquest in Bradford heard yesterday.

Martin Larkin, of Beacon Road, Wibsey , was admitted to Bradford Royal Infirmary last October for surgery to remove the cancer, but developed an intestinal leak which caused septicaemia.

He suffered a cardio respiratory arrest and despite intensive care he suffered multi-organ failure and brain damage and his death was recorded on October 30.

An inquest into Mr Larkin’s death was adjourned after his family expressed over care he received in BRI.

At Bradford Coroner’s Court assistant deputy coroner Tim Ratcliffe resumed the inquest and called consultant colorectal surgeon Mark Steward to give evidence. Mr Steward was responsible for Mr Larkin’s care and knew him from a procedure to remove a colon cancer in 2007. He did not perform the 2011 operation he was present throughout.

The family’s concern was the failure of doctors to spot the leak earlier and act faster to move him to intensive care.

Mr Steward said he obtained consent and explained to Mr Larkin the risks of the procedure, which has a mortality rate of around one to three per cent.

He said that in his view the leak was caused by ischaemia, an insufficient supply of blood to tissue, and not a mechanical failure of the staples.

Mr Steward said the speed of Mr Larkin’s deterioration was unusual. He conceded a surgical registrar did not spot faeces mixed with blood – evidence of a leak. “He has made a mistake and unfortunately these things do happen, which is very sad for you and for me because I am also very upset,” said Mr Steward.

A second operation was carried out, but a CT scan revealed brain damage and his life support was withdrawn.

Mr Ratcliffe returned a narrative verdict saying Mr Larkin died of a recognised complication of a necessary surgical intervention.