A hospital in Devon has released the initial findings of an internal investigation into the death of a patient from legionnaire's disease.

David Bick, 53, was admitted to Torbay Hospital for treatment for a long-term illness, but contracted the disease and died last Friday.

The hospital says provisional results indicate bacteria levels in a confined section of the hospital's water system may have been to blame.

Health officials tested other patients and contacted local GPs, but say they do not anticipate any more cases.

Harmful level

The hospital stressed the water system has safeguards to prevent bacteria in the water supply rising to harmful levels.

However, the flow in one small section of the water system was restricted for a period of time.

South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust chief executive Tony Parr expressed his sorrow at the death of Mr Bick.

But he said he believed the death was an isolated case due to an unusual set of circumstances.

Vulnerable patient

"The presence of bacteria in water is not that unusual.

"But what is unusual is that the bacteria builds up and is in proximity to a vulnerable patient," he said.

"It is a range of circumstances which have all come together.

"We have flushed out our water system, chlorinated the water supply and checked over all the engineering in the plumbing system in the part of the hospital in question and made changes where necessary."

An inquest into Mr Bick's death was opened and adjourned in Teignmouth on Wednesday.