A 78-year-old man who was recovering from a heart operation in a hospital in Iraklion, Crete, died after a piece of medical equipment fell on his head, authorities said yesterday.

The patient, who underwent heart surgery on Monday, was recovering in intensive care when he tried to shift in his bed by pulling on the drip stand located next to him.

Doctors said that this caused a “medicine supply pump” above the bed to fall on the unlucky man’s head.

“The injury, along with the treatment he was receiving, caused extensive bleeding of the brain,” the hospital said.

“A necessary diagnostic check was completed immediately and he underwent surgery right away,” it added.

The autopsy confirmed that the patient, who was not identified, died on Wednesday from head injuries and not due to his heart problem.