AN inquest resumes this week into the death of a 79-year-old Addingham man who died following routine hernia repair surgery.

James Hartley was admitted to The Yorkshire Clinic in Bingley on September 25 last year following a referral from his GP.

While the surgery seemed to go well, approximately 24 hours after surgery he suffered a series of seizures and was transferred to Bradford Royal Infirmary, where doctors fought for six days to save his life.

He died on October 1, 2014 from multi-organ failure.

An inquest was opened at Bradford Coroner's Court on October 6, 2014. It is due to resume on Wednesday and is expected to last two days at Bradford Coroner’s Court in front of HM Coroner’s Assistant Mr Longstaff

James’ family, including his widow, Angela Hartley, will be attending along with specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell.

Ross McWilliams, a medical negligence expert at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office, said: “Angela and her family have been left completely devastated by James’ unexpected death and they are seeking clarity from The Yorkshire Clinic about exactly what happened on the 25th and 26th September 2014.

“They hope the inquest will provide an opportunity for them to learn more about the events leading up to James’ death so they can begin the long process of rebuilding their lives, and ensure that measures are put in place at the Yorkshire Clinic to avoid a repeat of this tragic event.”