Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Yugal Limbu

Ref: 2020-0176 Date: 14 Sep 2020 Coroner: Sonia Hayes Area: Central and South East Kent Responses identified: 0 / 2 View PDF

A hazardous gap and sloped surface by a footbridge in a public park pose a danger to users, especially at night, with unclear responsibility between local authorities.

Date 14 Sep 2020
56-day deadline 9 Nov 2020
Responses identified 0 of 2
Other related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary
A hazardous gap and sloped surface by a footbridge in a public park pose a danger to users, especially at night, with unclear responsibility between local authorities.
View full coroner's concerns
(1) Victoria Park is well used by the public including at night and Kent Police raised a concern at the inquest hearing that there is an area by the footbridge where the path meets the river at Victoria Way, Ashford that is a hazard to the public. There is a clear gap and a sloped surface, and evidence from Kent Police is that this is dangerous for those using the path in diminished daylight or at night.

(2) This matter has been drawn to the attention of Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council following the inquest hearing and it is unclear which authority has responsibility for the area.

Report sections

Investigation and inquest
On 23 March 2020 I commenced an investigation into the death of YUGAL LIMBU, then aged 34. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 22 June 2020. The conclusion of the inquest was ACCIDENT, Yugal was found deceased in the River Stour alongside Bowens Field, Ashford, Kent on 9th March 2020 by Kent Police and Kent Search and Rescue. He was last seen on CCTV at 01:07 on his way home and was intoxicated. On the balance of probabilities he fell into the River Stour from Victoria Way and suffered a rapid cardiac arrest, the medical cause of death being SUBMERSION.
Circumstances of the death
On 6th March 2020 Yugal Limbu met with friends and family after work at a local restaurant and was drinking. He became separated from his family on the way home and was last seen on CCTV at 01:07on 7th March 2020 walking in the direction of his home and this would take him through Victoria Park, he was intoxicated. He did not return home and his family reported him missing on 7th March. The search concluded when he was recovered from the River Stour alongside Bowens Field, Ashford, Kent. It is likely that he fell into the River Stour in the vicinity of the footbridge where the path meets the river at Victoria Way. There was no evidence to suggest that any other person was involved in his death.

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Report details

Reference
2020-0176
Date of report
14 September 2020
Coroner
Sonia Hayes
Coroner area
Central and South East Kent

Responses identified

Responses identified 0 of 2
2 responses not yet linked

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 9 Nov 2020.

Sent to

Ashford Borough Council
Kent County Council

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