Tahnie Martin

On 2 March 2017 an investigation was commenced into the death of Ms Tahnie Lee Martin, aged 29. The investigation concluded at the end of a 5 day jury inquest held before me on 6 October 2017. The medical cause of death was found to be: 1a Basal Ganglia Disruption 1b Multiple Base of Skull Fractures The Conclusion of the jury was a Narrative Conclusion: "The large heavy panel which struck Tahnie Lee Martin at 11.38am on 23 February 2017 became detached from the_plant room roof of the Blackrock building due to strong winds caused by 'Storm Doris'. The large panel became detached due to the absence of maintenance which had resulted in wet rot; badly corroded and defective fixtures which had allowed the large panel to be lifted by the wind.

The circumstances of the death, as found by the jury, were that Tahnie Lee Martin was struck by a large panel on 23 February 2017 whilst she was out shopping with a friend on Dudley St; Wolverhampton. The panel was one half of a large wooden panel which had been formed the cover of a water tank situated on the top of the plant room roof of the Blackrock building, which had fallen into disuse. The expert evidence which was undisputed at the inquest, concluded that it had been at least 19 years since any maintenance work had been carried out on this structure which had directly led to the severe deterioration of both the timber and the corrosion of the metal fixings This also applied to another structure (the housing of a disused ventilation shaft) which was also situated on this roof and was similarly damaged by the winds on 23 February 2017; although, fortunately (unlike the water tank cover), not causing any personal injuryldeath to passers-by:

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you have the power to take such action.