Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Leanne Dunn

Ref: 2022-0394 Date: 8 Dec 2022 Coroner: Jeremy Chipperfield Area: County Durham and Darlington Responses identified: 1 / 1 View PDF

A bridge poses a significant risk of death due to an accessible parapet, absence of monitored CCTV and lighting to detect at-risk individuals, and danger to those below from falls.

Date 8 Dec 2022

56-day deadline 2 Feb 2023 est.

Responses identified 1 of 1

Suicide (from 2015)

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

A bridge poses a significant risk of death due to an accessible parapet, absence of monitored CCTV and lighting to detect at-risk individuals, and danger to those below from falls.

View full coroner's concerns

Although it remains my duty to report this matter to you (since the circumstances of concern continue to exist), I note the steps that Durham County Council has taken, and proposes to take, to address these concerns (see below and in your attached letter dated 30th November 2022).

All concerns relate to the bridge , which carries a road and two footpaths up to around 30m (100ft) above the reiver Weir

(1) the bridge’s parapet and railing is accessible to pedestrians on the bridge;

(3) there is absence of monitored CCTV and lighting or other means of detecting those at immediate risk; and (4) there is a risk of death to persons falling AND to those near the foot of the bridge at any time when persons fall.

The body of a further person was found at the foot of the bridge on 3rd December 2022 in circumstances which may be consistent with his having fallen from the top of the bridge.

Thank you for your letter dated 30th November 2022 (a copy of which is attached hereto and part of the contents of which were read at inquest); in it you have informed me about various measures which have been implemented and more which are due to be implemented to address these matters and to reduce the risk of future deaths.

Responses

1 respondent

Response Durham County Council Local Authority / Fire Service

21 Dec 2022 PDF

Noted

Durham County Council refers to its written submission to the inquest and reaffirms its commitment to suicide prevention, but provides no new information. (AI summary)

View full response

Dear Mr Chipperfield

Thank you for providing the Regulation 28 report following the inquest into the death of Leanne Dunn.

As you note in the report, Durham County Council provided a written submission to the inquest, dated 30 November 2022, which addresses the points raised. Having reviewed the Regulation 28 report and the letter of 30 November, I do not feel that there is anything further to add at this stage, other than to reaffirm the commitment of Durham County Council to suicide prevention.

Should you require any further specific information in response to the Regulation 28 report, please let me know.

Kind regards

Chief Executive Officer

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 16th September 2022 I opened an inquest into the death of Leanne DUNN, aged 44. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 8th December 2022. I found that the deceased died having sustained multiple traumatic injuries after falling from the bridge . I concluded that her death was suicide.

Circumstances of the death

Leanne was seen to climb up from the footpath, turn around and push herself backwards off the bridge at Newton Cap.

Copies sent to

Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary

Similar PFD reports

Shared signals

Related inquiry recommendations

Report details

Reference: 2022-0394
Date of report: 8 December 2022
Coroner: Jeremy Chipperfield
Coroner area: County Durham and Darlington

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: 2 Feb 2023 (estimated).

Sent to

Durham County Council

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.