Angus Council has launched an inquiry after an elderly Arbroath woman died following a fall while using a mechanical hoist.
Care staff who were with her at the time have also been withdrawn from duty while an investigation is carried out.
Grace Rennie, 74, passed away following the tragic incident at her home address. It is understood that Mrs Rennie was housebound and received regular care assistance. The mechanical hoist would be used as an aid to get her out of bed. On this occasion she fell and did not recover.
Police were called to attend the incident last Monday, along with community support staff. There were no suspicious circumstances involved in the incident.
The council’s spokeswoman for social care services, Councillor Glennis Middleton, said: “We have written to Mrs Rennie’s family to express our deepest sympathies.
“In accordance with our procedures, an investigation is being carried out and the members of staff have been withdrawn from duty pending the outcome of that inquiry.”
A police spokesman said: “We received a report of the sudden death of a 74-year-old woman at 3.35pm on Monday, December 8. Officers determined there were no suspicious circumstances and, as with all sudden deaths, a report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
Neighbours were quick to express their shock and sorrow at what had happened and wanted to pass on their condolences to Mrs Rennie’s family.
Neighbour and care assistant Alexandra Wrona, 28, said: “I saw two ambulances outside of her home at some point last week and we wanted to know what had happened, especially as we hadn’t seen her since then.”
Royston Macdonald, 44, said: “I’d like to pass on our condolences to the family. It’s shocking to hear about things like this.”
Mrs Rennie has been described as a much-loved and adored mum of Catherine, Brian, Steven and Tracey, as well as a loving sister, sister-in-law, mother-in-law and a much-loved granny and great-granny.