Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2021

Darrell Spear

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2021-0196, written 8 Jun 2021. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report8 Jun 2021
Reference2021-0196
DeceasedDarrell Spear
CoronerAlison Mutch
Coroner areaGreater Manchester South
CategoryCommunity health care · Other 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   

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS  

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:    

Chief Executive, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council  

1   CORONER  

I am Alison Mutch, Senior Coroner, for the Coroner Area of Greater Manchester 
South  

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 23rd September 2020 I commenced an investigation into the death of Darrell 
Spear. The investigation concluded on the 25th May 2021 and the conclusion was 
one of accidental death. The medical cause of death was 1a Inhalation of 
products of combustion and thermal injury 1b 1c II Left ventricular hypertrophy 
and hypertension   

4   CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH  

On 22nd September 2020 there was a fire at  Windermere Road where 
Darrell Leonard Spear lived. He died from the fire. Police and fire service 
investigations found that the fire had probably started accidentally and 
accelerated rapidly due to the extensive hoarding within the address and the 
outside door of the conservatory was open increasing the flow of oxygen to the 
fire.   

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 5   CORONER’S CONCERNS  

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 inquest heard that Mr Spear and his wife were known to agencies 

and that it was recognised that self-neglect and hoarding were 
significant issues. Their lifestyle meant that there was a significant risk to 
them both including from fire. Although these issues had been identified 
in the months preceding Mr Spear’s death it was only on 22nd September 
that steps were taken to arrange to clear the property later that week.   

2.  The evidence before the inquest suggested that communication between 
agencies was poor in relation to information sharing and that there was 
no clear strategy to address the risk presented to both Mr Spear and his 
wife.  

6   ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN  

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

7   YOUR RESPONSE  

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this 
report, namely by 3rd August 2021. 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.  

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 8   COPIES and PUBLICATION  

I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following  
Interested Persons namely 
it useful or of interest.  

 (family of deceased), who may find 

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   8th June 2021  

Alison Mutch HM Senior Coroner Manchester South  

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