Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Gary Peel

Date: 4 Jan 2016 Coroner: Martin Fleming Area: West Yorkshire (West) Responses identified: 1 / 1 View PDF

The need for deterrent measures on viaduct walls should be reviewed to prevent future deaths from individuals jumping.

Date 4 Jan 2016

56-day deadline 29 Feb 2016 est.

Responses identified 1 of 1

Other related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

The need for deterrent measures on viaduct walls should be reviewed to prevent future deaths from individuals jumping.

View full coroner's concerns

During the course of the inquest I heard that he deliberately scaled the 5 foot wall running along the viaduct and jumped to his death. The MATTER OF CONCERN is as follows. –

 To review and consider the appropriateness of implementing deterrent measures to the walls of the viaduct.

Responses

1 respondent

Gary Peel

8 Jan 2016 PDF

Disputed

Sustrans plans to install Samaritans signs at both ends of the viaduct by the end of February 2016. However, they dispute the need for other deterrent measures, citing existing safety standards, cost-ineffectiveness, and the viaduct's Grade II listed status. (AI summary)

View full response

Dear Sir

Ref AP/B12315

We were sad to read in your report of the death of Gary Alan Peel who jumped to his death from Hewenden Viaduct on 29 June 2015.

We will approach The Samaritans inviting them to prepare appropriately worded signs for each end of the Viaduct for installation by the end of February 2016. We have taken a similar approach at Conisbrough Viaduct in South Yorkshire which is common to the owners of many similar structures.

We do not intend to take any other action for the following reasons:
* The five feet high walls are well within our safety and design standards for bridge parapets
* Raising the parapets further or installing caging would in our view be expensive and ineffective in this situation, as there are many other locations where, sadly, someone could choose to take their own life
* The viaduct is a Grade II listed structure and we are limited in the changes that can be made to its structural appearance

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 2 July 2015 I opened an inquest into the death of Gary Alan Peel who, at the date of his death, was 38 years old. The inquest was resumed and concluded on 19 December 2015

I found that the cause of death to be: ‐ 1a. Multiple injuries

I concluded with a narrative as follows: On 29 June 2015 Gary Alan Peel took his own life whilst suffering from depression and anxiety.

Circumstances of the death

At approximately 4.54 pm on 29 June 2015, Gary Alan Peel was found collapsed and unresponsive at the foot of Hewenden Viaduct, Doll Lane, Cullingworth, West Yorkshire. Upon the arrival of paramedics he was found to have died. Upon the arrival of the police it was found that he had fallen from the upper Viaduct. The pathologist gave the cause of

death as multiple injuries consistent with a fall from height. He had been suffering anxiety and depression. At the inquest I heard evidence that he had deliberately scaled the 5 foot wall running along the viaduct and jumped to his death.

Copies sent to

I have sent a copy of this report toChief Coroner DATED this 4th January 2016

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Report details

Date of report: 4 January 2016
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: 29 Feb 2016 (estimated).

Sent to

SUSTRANS

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk.

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