26 January 2024 , 19:38
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A man died after accidentally falling asleep in his mobility scooter and plunging off a seafront promenade.
John Gray's accident sparked a coroner to write to a council to share concerns there could be similar falls in the future without a barrier or warning signs in place at Felixstowe, Suffolk.
Mr Gray suffered multiple rib fractures after he fell “several feet” onto the sand below on July 9, 2022. He was dashed to hospital where he died four days later following respiratory failure.
Nigel Parsley, Suffolk’s senior coroner, filed a prevention of future deaths report published this month, highlighting fears more falls could happen. An earlier inquest concluded that Mr Gray’s death was an accident.
But, in the report, Mr Parsley says: "At the location this occurred, there was no barrier in place to prevent a fall, and the drop was one of several feet. In his fall, John suffered multiple rib fractures leading to respiratory failure."
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Mr Parsley said evidence was heard at the inquest that the “height of drop from the edge of the promenade to the sand at the location John fell, whilst on his mobility scooter, was approximately five feet”.
"The court was told that, at a number of locations, the height from the edge of the promenade to the sand was prone to change, and a system was in place to monitor this. It was however, acknowledged, that unusual high tide conditions, and/or weather activity could significantly change the drop height in a short period of time.
“Evidence heard that at high-risk locations, such as areas with persistent long drops, drops onto concrete, or drops onto rock sea defences, permanent barriers were installed. In other areas signage and/or painted markings were used to highlight the risks of a potential fall. It was acknowledged that individuals on mobility scooters were known to regularly access and use the promenade.
“Due to the demographics of the local area it was acknowledged that the use of mobility scooters on the promenade may increase in the future. Evidence was also heard from a mobility scooter supplier and engineer, who explained that falling asleep on a mobility scooter was not uncommon, and happened more frequently than the general public might think.
“The supplier explained that this often led to accidents, leading to damage to the mobility scooters, which required repair. I am therefore concerned that falls from the promenade onto the beach, in areas where there is no barrier, would occur again in similar circumstances, as the current signage and markings provide no warning to an individual asleep on their mobility scooter.
“If this were to occur (as in this case) in an area where the height of drop from the edge of the promenade to the sand was greater than normally expected, I am concerned this would lead to future loss of life.”
East Suffolk Council must respond to the report by March 15. A spokesperson for the authority said: "We welcome the report from the Coroner, which we will respond to in full, and our thoughts are with those close to Mr Gray following this tragic accident.
“We continually review all risk assessments for land which the Council is responsible for, and we are identifying what further appropriate measures should be put in place to help ensure the safety of all users of the promenade.”