Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2014

Elizabeth Turnbull

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2014-0035, written 24 Jan 2014. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report24 Jan 2014
Reference2014-0035
DeceasedElizabeth Turnbull
CoronerNicola Mundy
Coroner areaSouth Yorkshire (East)
CategoryOther related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses publishednone published

The report

Text extracted from the PDF text layer. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.

REGULATION 28:  REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS (1) 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1.
2.
3.
CORONER 

1 

 HM Principle Specialist Inspector (Mechanical Engineering) 

 Chairman, British Industrial Truck Association MHE/7  

I am Nicola Jane Mundy, Senior Coroner, for the coroner area of South Yorkshire (East) 
District.  

2 

CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS 

I make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 
and regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013. 

3 

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

On 21st June 2013 I commenced an investigation into the death of Elizabeth Joy 
Turnbull, age 65. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 20th January 
2014.  The medical cause of death was 1a Hypoxic Brain Injury (clinical), 1b Cervical 
spine injury with tetraplegia and multiple chest fractures, 1c Mechanical crush trauma.  
The short form conclusion of the Jury was accidental death.      

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

On the 8th June 2013 Elizabeth Joy Turnbull was helping her husband repair a stock 
fence when the bucket attached to the end of a telehandler being used to drive the fence 
posts in dislodged from the clevices and fell onto Mrs Turnbull.  She died on the 15th 
June 2013 due to injuries sustained as a result of crush trauma.   
CORONER’S CONCERNS 

5 

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In 
my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the 
circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. 

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows.  –  

(1)  The layout of the thumbwheel controls namely one immediately above the other, the 
       first controlling release of locking pins which secure buckets and attachments, and 
       the second thumbwheel used to move the telescopic arm backwards and forwards.  
(2)  The absence of any dual controls which would both have to be activated before the  
       pins could be released.   
(3)  Due to 1 and 2 above the ease at which the user could inadvertently release locking 
       pins rather than moving the telescopic arm 

6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you 
[AND/OR your organisation] have the power to take such action.  

1

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7 

YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, 
namely by Friday 21st March 2014. I, the coroner, may extend the period. 

Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out 
the timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed. 

8 

COPIES and PUBLICATION 

I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner.     

I am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response.  

The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary 
form. He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful 
or of interest. You may make representations to me, the coroner, at the time of your 
response, about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner. 

9 

24th January 2014                                                  Ms N J Mundy  

2

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