Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Ann Campbell

Ref: 2025-0535 Date: 23 Oct 2025 Coroner: Andrew Cox Area: Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Responses identified: 1 / 1 View PDF

The steps are unsafe as the handrail is too low and short, preventing individuals from adequately steadying themselves when descending.

Date 23 Oct 2025

56-day deadline 18 Dec 2025 est.

Responses identified 1 of 1

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Coroner's concerns

AI summary

The steps are unsafe as the handrail is too low and short, preventing individuals from adequately steadying themselves when descending.

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Information Classification: CONTROLLED

1) Access to the steps is difficult. In particular, someone who is about to descend the steps is not able to steady themselves by grasping a handrail because it is too low/does not extend up higher than is currently the case.

Responses

1 respondent

Landlord Other

PDF

Action Planned

The landlord will fit a grab rail on top of a wall to improve handrail safety and expects lighting work to be completed in 3 weeks. Signs advising of steep steps were installed soon after the property purchase, and a non-slip coating was applied to the steps. (AI summary)

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Dear Lucie, Thank you for the report regarding Anne Campbell - Deceased. Please advise Mr Andrew Cox of the following: Regarding the hand rail you mentioned, this is due to the wall height, however, I asked the contractor to look at this and it has been suggested by the contractor that a grab rail on the top of the wall would be the best way to sort this problem, this will be fitted ASAP. With regard to the lighting our electrician visited the flat on our behalf 4 weeks ago and work to supply lighting should be completed in the next 3 weeks. I would like to inform the coroner that at the time of purchase no signs were in place to advise steep steps, 2 signs were put in place very soon after the purchase. The steps were also cleaned and a coating of non slip substance which had sand in it used on yacht's was also done for extra safety. The handrail itself is now fully secured along the rail, again done when we took over. Please be assured that safety is a priority for our properties. If you are not in agreement for a grab rail to be fitted, would you kindly advise. Thank you.

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 1/10/25, I concluded the inquest into the death of Ann Campbell.

I recorded the cause of death as 1a) Skull fracture II) Alcohol intoxication

I recorded a conclusion of Accident

Circumstances of the death

Ann lived in a basement flat at 11 Tolver Place Penzance Cornwall that is reached by using a set of steep, concrete steps. On 15/11/24, she was found deceased at the foot of the steps. At post-mortem, a skull fracture was identified and it is likely this was caused by Ann falling down the steps. It was also noted that she was likely to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time.

The steps are narrow and appear poorly lit. There is a handrail on one wall but, for someone about to descend the steps, it is too low to grasp.

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Report details

Reference: 2025-0535
Date of report: 23 October 2025
Coroner: Andrew Cox
Coroner area: Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Responses identified

Responses identified 1 of 1

All listed responses identified

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 18 Dec 2025 (estimated).

Sent to

Landlord

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.