A dedicated paramedic and popular family man died from sepsis six years after a bowel operation, an inquest has heard.

Michael Lewis, 62, who had been a senior paramedic in Beccles for 32 years, died at Oak Court Care Home in Taverham where he was being cared for 24/7 on October 29 last year because his mental and physical health had deteriorated rapidly due to the serious infection.

The inquest into his death at Norfolk Coroner's Court today heard sepsis developed soon after an operation at the James Paget University Hospital (JPUH) in Gorleston on February 2010.

During the narrative conclusion, area coroner Yvonne Blake said: 'Mr Lewis had major abdominal surgery in 2010. He developed sepsis which was not recognised. This led to re-operations and the development of hypoxic brain injury. He required 24 hour care and died at Oak Court Care Home due to unresolved sepsis.'

The serious infection caused Mr Lewis to under go multiple operations during his 11 month stay at the JPUH, as well as at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) several years after that.

Mrs Blake said the JPUH had accepted liability for the initial operation which caused the sepsis.

Mr Lewis' wife, Wendy, who has not returned to her marital Beccles home since her husband died, received a 'substantial payout' from the JPUH in a private out of court settlement for medical negligence.

The 62-year-old, who had to be medically discharged from the East of England Ambulance Service Trust after the operation in 2010, had three children and eight grandchildren.

His son and daughter, Jason Lewis and Kirsty Rose listened to the hearing.

At the end, Mrs Rose, 38, of Beccles, said: 'It has dragged on for seven years now and I'm happy with what the coroner has come up with. We cannot find out the individuals but someone is to blame for his death. No amount of money can bring him back.

'We will make sure the family members who didn't get to meet him know about him. We will never stop talking about him.'

She described her father as passionate about his job and family as well as being well-known around the Beccles area through various clubs.