A woman burdened by chronic pain died after taking excess morphine.

Yesterday, Acting Bradford Coroner Professor Paul Marks recorded an open verdict into 63-year-old Karen Purdie’s death.

Mrs Purdie, of North Parade, Skipton, was rushed to Airedale General Hospital, Steeton, where she died on April 18 after telling her daughters she had taken too much morphine.

The morphine was one of the drugs prescribed to her for relieving the intense pain she suffered. As well as arthritic pains and muscle spasms, she also had a condition where even brushing the ends of her fingers would be agony, the inquest heard.

Professor Marks said he was not satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt she had intended to take her own life.

He said: “This is a particularly unfortunate case of a lady who, for many years, had the burden of pain without any relief except for the use of narcotic analgesics.”