Source · Prevention of Future Deaths
Stephen Simpson
Ref: 2014-0437
Date: 9 Oct 2014
Coroner: Tony Brown
Area: Northumberland (North)
0 responses identified · 1 indexed addressee
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AI-generated concerns summaryThe building design lacks an entrance lobby to arrest falls, increasing the risk of serious injury from impact with the external door. The communal stairs are also made of smooth concrete without a non-slip surface.
Date
9 Oct 2014
56-day deadline
5 Dec 2014
stated in the report
Responses identified
0 of 1
Coroner's concerns
The building design lacks an entrance lobby to arrest falls, increasing the risk of serious injury from impact with the external door. The communal stairs are also made of smooth concrete without a non-slip surface.
View full coroner's concerns
The design of the building is that there is no entrance lobby or passageway to arrest any accidental fall, with the result that any person who slips or falls while negotiating the communal stairs is liable to sustain serious injury from making impact with the solid external door. Additionally, the stairs are constructed of smooth concrete without the addition of any non-slip surface. Even if a non-slip surface was present, this would not obviate the risk of serious injury or death from impact with the external door, if a person falls from the stairs.
Report sections
Investigation and inquest
On 14th March 2014 I commenced an investigation into the death of Stephen Peter Simpson, a fifty year old man, who died in hospital as a result of a skull fracture after a fall at home on the 14th March 2014. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 10th June 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was that Stephen Peter Simpson died as a result of an accident, the medical cause of death being:-
1a Brain Haemorrhage 1b Skull Fracture
1a Brain Haemorrhage 1b Skull Fracture
Circumstances of the death
Mr Simpson appears to have fallen down communal concrete stairs during late evening on 13th March 2014 and struck his head on the external door immediately at the bottom of the stairwell. Mr Simpson was showing faint signs of life when found by a neighbour the next morning and paramedics were called. Sadly he could not be resuscitated and death was pronounced at Wansbeck General Hospital at 13.50 hours.
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Report details
- Reference
- 2014-0437
- Date of report
- 9 October 2014
- Coroner
- Tony Brown
- Coroner area
- Northumberland (North)
Responses identified
Responses identified
0 of 1
1 response not yet linked
Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 5 Dec 2014 (stated in the report).
Sent to
- Home Group