Woman, 26, dies after falling down flight of stairs at city centre bar on way to toilet with a friend
Georgia Harry was out with friends in Liverpool when she took a tumble that proved fatal in Lost Bar during the early hours of March 17, Gerard Majella Courthouse heard.
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Georgia met her friend Michael Pollard around 3pm at Punch Tarmey's in Liverpool, before heading off to see another friend, the inquest heard.
Pollard saw her again later that night at Lost bar on Seel Street around 2am on Monday, March 17.
At about 2.15am, the pair separated from the group to go to the toilets which were located on the basement floor of the building, the inquest heard.
But as they headed down the flight of stairs, Georgia's legs "went from beneath her" and she hit her head on the concrete floor as she held her friend's arm, the court was told.
Sean Moogan, who was not drinking at the time, recalled witnessing a man and a woman walking down the stairs as he left the toilets.
In a statement, he said: 'I was in Lost on Seel Street seeing my friends.
"I wasn't drinking at all this night. I had just been inside the toilets.
"As I have got to the stairwell, I have seen a male and female walking down the stairs.'
Recalling Georgia's fall, he said her legs had given way, swinging to the same height as his head, as she began to fall - around six steps away from the bottom floor.
Woman dies after 'falling from building' in busy city centre – as cops cordon off hotel
Mr Pollard rushed to help the 26-year-old, shouting her name as the fall rendered her unconscious, Mr Moogan said.
Mr Moogan, a former personal trainer with first aid training, told him to stay calm and not move her in case her injuries worsened.
Paramedics took Georgia to Aintree Hospital, where she was assessed and had blood tests, before being transferred to The Walton Centre.
The court heard a toxicology report found she had an alcohol level of 294, about three and a half times the drink-driving limit, and a 'low level of ketamine.'
Georgie tragically died on April 13, 2025, after being kept on life support.
An inspection by Liverpool City Council found the stairs had no slip strips, a breach later addressed.
Area Coroner Anita Bhardwaj was told it was 'more than likely that she did slip.'
TRAGIC DEATH
A police investigation was launched into whether Georgia was pushed down the stairs.
But it was concluded by Detective Inspector Dillon of Merseyside Police that this was not the case.
In a statement read to the court on his behalf, it was heard how a group of people, including Georgia, had been crowded round a table before she and Mr Pollard left to go to the toilet.
He was seen taking something from his jumper, with Georgia then linking arms with Mr Pollard as they walked down the stairs.
Between two CCTV cameras, Georgia could be seen 'falling at speed' down the stairs and hitting her head.
Concluding the inquest, Ms Bhardwaj said: 'More likely than not that Georgia has died from the injuries sustained from the fall.
From the evidence we have heard, there is nothing to suggest that it was nothing more than an accident.
"These are absolutely tragic circumstances surrounding her death.'
'DARLING DAUGHTER'
It comes after her devastated mother, Nicola Poulton, 44, led tributes to her daughter, who she described her as a "strong fighter" that "fought until the end".
Georgia's mum said she was 'fun, outgoing and hardworking' and 'always had a smile on her face'.
A post mortem found her death was a result of extensive brain injury caused by a fall.
Georgia, who lived with her mum and two dachshunds, Mabel and Maggie, worked at Liverpool Passport Office based within the city centre.
A moving obituary notice declaring Ms Harry's passing stated that she had died "peacefully in hospital surrounded by her loving family".
It added: "Much loved daughter of Nicola and David. Georgia will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
"To our darling daughter. We miss you the world our beautiful miracle. We love you the world and back."
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