Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Peter Gledhill

Ref: 2018-0371 Date: 27 Aug 2018 Coroner: Martin Fleming Area: West Yorkshire (West) Responses identified: 1 / 1 View PDF

The safety of a pathway running along a steep river embankment requires urgent review, specifically considering the appropriateness of installing fencing to prevent future incidents.

Date 27 Aug 2018

56-day deadline 5 Jul 2019 est.

Responses identified 1 of 1

Other related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

The safety of a pathway running along a steep river embankment requires urgent review, specifically considering the appropriateness of installing fencing to prevent future incidents.

View full coroner's concerns

The MATTER OF CONCERN is as follows: To review safety aspects of the pathway running the steep embankment overlooking the river and consider the appropriateness of fencing:

Responses

1 respondent

Calderdale Council Local Authority / Fire Service

25 Oct 2018 PDF

Noted

The council states that they do not own the land in question, nor have any legal powers to build a wall or fence. They provide a map indicating ownership of the land adjacent to the pathway. (AI summary)

View full response

Dear Mr Fleming re: Peter Jonathan Gledhill; deceased Thanks for your letter of 30 August 2018 and the 'Acicr t0 Prevent utur? Deaths' report regarding the above named: You raised as a matter of concer; "to review safety aspects of the pathway running along the steep embankment overlooking the river and consider the appropriateness of fencing" You further state that you believed that !, as Director of Public Health, have the power to take such action. Although am an employee of Calderdale MBC do not have any statutory powers to take action on such issues_ Calderdale MBC have a have statutory duty (s.130 Highways Act 1980) to ensure only that the public can enjoy the benefits of the highway: The Council does not own the land and have no legal powers to build a wall or fence, nor have any responsibility to maintain any part of the missing wall: did ask my Highways colleagues to make some investigations s0 could provide you with some additional information Your report did not identify exactly where the incident occurred but my colleagues have produced a map of the area in question (see appendix attached): The Mountain Rescue Team confirmed that recovered Mr Gledhill s body from point A on the map: It is their understanding that his personal effects and shirt were found on top of a wall at point E on the map. My colleagues have also established that the initial section of the track (the section between points B-E on the map) is registered to private individuals and the section of track (E-D on the map) is registered to Midgehole Working Mens Club who own the bowling club. Lee Mill Road between points C -B on the map is not adopted nor is the access track to the Bowling Club between points B-E-D The footpath running down the access track is shown in pink on the map and this runs for a short distance along the access track to the Bowling Club b erE disability best company confident crit' 10 walchi 2017 EMPLOYER Oxjja? Our they 04010

APPENDIX 1: Map of Hebden Water and surroundings_ Public Past and Rail Tenter Croft Fencer Foptpath Bridgewater House Hebren Lee Mill Missing Section
4.91 Bridge of wall Nowa Wall; Fern HII Hebden Def Grove 6 Access track Brook Leigh to Bowling Club D Ow Wall 8 Pavilion Mnokeand 9126748 Mohi 2010 , Ordnanee Sunty Liccle number 0100023069 FB Waldhof Courtesy of Calderdale MBC Highways section 'Drain 0 [ Waterdale

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 24/8/17 [ opened an inquest into the death of Peter Jonathan Gledhill who, at the date of his death was 44 years old: The inquest was resumed and concluded on 13/8/18 Ifound the cause of death to be: Ia. Multiple injuries Iconcluded with a narrative conclusion as follows: On 15 November 2017 Peter Jonathan Gledhill was found face down in Hebden Water; near Lee Mill Road, Hebden Bridge, after he had an unwitnessed fall from height: Although it is found that he died from the multiple injuries he sustained in the fall and third party involvement can be excluded, the circumstances of the fall and his intentions remain unclear_

Circumstances of the death

On 15/11/18 Peter Jonathan Gledhill at approximately 3.45pm and 4pm sent worrying text messages to his wife This prompted his wife to make several unsuccessful attempts to re contact him by At approximately 4.30pm Mr Gledhill' $ was answered by a member of the walking his along the river towards Hardcastle Craggs after finding it on the ground near to his coat; After providing details of RT3589 Fleming aged phone: phone public dog=

of the walking his the river towards Hardcastle Craggs after finding it on the ground near to his coat After providing details of the location, at Hebden Waters, near Lee Moll Road, Hebden Bridge; the witness then saw that Mr Gledhill had fallen feet down an embankment and was face down in the river: Upon the arrival of and paramedics to the scene Mr Gledhill was found to have passed away

Action should be taken

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and

Copies sent to

Fee RT3589 public dog along police along days . setting explain

Inquest conclusion

On 15 November 2017 Peter Jonathan Gledhill was found face down in Hebden Water; near Lee Mill Road, Hebden Bridge, after he had an unwitnessed fall from height: Although it is found that he died from the multiple injuries he sustained in the fall and third party involvement can be excluded, the circumstances of the fall and his intentions remain unclear_

Similar PFD reports

Shared signals

Related inquiry recommendations

Report details

Reference: 2018-0371
Date of report: 27 August 2018
Coroner: Martin Fleming
Coroner area: West Yorkshire (West)

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: 5 Jul 2019 (estimated).

Sent to

Midgehole Working Mens Club

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.