Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2023

Ben Shipley

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2023-0140, written 27 Apr 2023. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report27 Apr 2023
Reference2023-0140
DeceasedBen Shipley
CoronerIan Pears
Coroner areaWest Yorkshire Western
CategoryMental Health related deaths · Railway 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 

NOTE:  This form is to be used after an inquest. 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1  NHS England and NHS Improvement (North) 

1  CORONER 

I am Ian PEARS, HM Assistant Coroner for the coroner area of West Yorkshire Western 
Coroner Area 

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 03 September 2019 I commenced an investigation into the death of Ben Alan SHIPLEY 
aged 22.  The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 23 February 2023.  The 
conclusion of the inquest was that: 

Ben Alan Shipley died on 29th August 2019 having been struck by a train at Milne Viaduct 
East End after absconding from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary's Clinical Decisions Unit at 
12.30.  Ben voluntarily came to A&E on 28th August 2019 at 19.27 after suffering a mental 
health crisis.  He was assessed by 2 mental health psychiatrists and a mental health nurse. 
He was deemed to require a section 2 detention under the Mental Health Act, but was to 
remain in A&E for his own safety until a bed was sourced.  After a prolonged search, using 
various communications methods, for a bed lasting approximately 17 hours, Ben absconded 
from A&E, where he traveled to a railway, 

4  CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Ben is a 22yr old single man who lived with his family in Lepton, Huddersfield. 

On the 28th of August Ben was seen by his GP who referred Ben to the 'Single Point of 
Access' service. On the 29th of August Ben was at the hospital with is parents, waiting to 
be sectioned under the mental health act when he ran away. His parents reported him as a 
missing person. 

That afternoon Ben was struck by a train in a rural area of Huddersfield. His life was 
pronounced extinct at 14:14hrs. 

5  CORONER’S CONCERNS 

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

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows: 
(brief summary of matters of concern) 

Ben was assessed at 22.00 on 28th August 2019.  It seems to me that there are about 12 
hours of delay following a 22.00 s2 Mental Health Act assessment built into the system if 

Regulation 28 – After Inquest 
Document Template Updated 30/07/2021 

 
 there is no bed. Presumably this would be longer if Ben had been assessed earlier in the 
night shift.  I am told beds do not become available over night.  This means Ben cannot be 
legally detained as the section 2 is not complete until there is a bed.  He is therefore 
subject to the goodwill of the A&E (who are not trained in mental health) and the goodwill 
of the family (who are similarly not trained in mental health). 

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. 

7  YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, 
namely by April 28, 2023.  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 and to the following Interested 
Persons 

I have also sent it to 

Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust 
Kirklees Council 
South West Yorkshire Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust 

who may find it useful or of interest. 

I am also under a duty to send a copy of your response to the Chief Coroner and all 
interested persons who in my opinion should receive it. 

I may also send a copy of your response to any person who I believe may find it useful or 
of interest. 

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  Dated: 27/04/2023 

Ian PEARS 
HM Assistant Coroner for 
West Yorkshire Western Coroner Area 

Regulation 28 (cid:177)(cid:3)After Inquest 
Document Template Updated 30/07/2021

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