Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2023

Daniel Lyle

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2023-0170, written 23 May 2023. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report23 May 2023
Reference2023-0170
DeceasedDaniel Lyle
CoronerPaul Rogers
Coroner areaLondon Inner (West)
CategoryMental Health 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 

REGULATIO  28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

MPS 

College of Policing 

CORONER 

I am Paul Rogers, HM Assistant Coroner, for the Coroner Area of Inner West London 

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 the 21 st March, 22nd  March and 23 rd  March 2023 evidence was heard touching the 
death of Daniel LYLE. He died on 20th  March 2020 aged 46 years. 

Medical Cause of Death 

I (a) Multiple Injuries 

How, when, where Daniel LYLE came by his death; 

At about 0820 on 20th  March 2020 Daniel Lyle who suffered from paranoid psychosis 
had a psychotic episode in the gru-den area outside Morgan House, Tachbrook Street, 
London SWI 
During the course of this episode he climbed approximately 30 feet up into a tree.  Police 
officers tried to engage him in efforts to encourage him to come down safely from  the 
tree, but he did not come down. During his time in  the trre he displayed paranoid and 
delusional beliefs. Whilst moving within the tree Daniel feJI striking his head on the 
bard surface beneath the tree causing serious head and chest injuries. Despite effo1ts by 
police, fire brigade, ambulance and helicopter medical personnel to resuscitate him, 
Daniel died from h.is  injuries in the garden area outside Morgan House, Tachbrook 
Street London. 

Conclusion of the Coroner as to the death: 

Accident 

4 

Circumstances of the death: 

Extensive evidence was heard by the court in the form of written and oral evidence, and 
I was able to view the body worn video evidence of police officers who attended a call 
to police about Daniel's behaviour that dav. 

 
 Of particular significance for the purpose of this report are the following matters: 

(I)  Daniel suffered from paranoid psych~is and had done for many years. 
(2)  Part ofthe,features ofhis psychosis were delusional beliefs. 
(3)  On 208' March 2020 Daniel climbed high into a tree - over 25-30 feet above the 
ground whilst expressing delusional and psychotic beliefs that dead people were 
in the est.ate refuse bins. 

(4)  Pol.ice officers attended and tried to encourage Daniel to come down from the 

tree for his safety. 

(5)  He was approached and spoken to by more than one police officer until one 

officer PC

 took over communication. 

(6)  Other officers remained present but tried to keep a distance away and did not try 

to interfere with the one officer communicating with Daniel. 

(7)  PC 

 the officer communicating with Daniel infonned the court that he 
had received some training from the Metropolitan Police service in relation to 
dealing with those with mental health issues, and had received other training in 
different forces. He told me that he had pieced together information on how to 
deal with someone displaying mental health issues as a "'patchwork" over I 5 
years. He told me that training on the presentation ofsymptoms and strategies to 
deal  with those in mental health crisis would be something he would value. He 
said that whilst he did have some training and there was overlap in officer safety 
training, he would value individual training specifically on symptoms, 
presentation and strategies to de-escalate situations involving those displaying 
mental health difficulties such as psychotic and other distressed behaviour. 
(8)  Daniel underwent an acute psychotic episode beginning before he entered the 
tree and whilst he was in the tree. Whilst moving within the tree Daniel fell 
sustaining fatal injuries. 

(9)  Inspector 

 is the Central Mental Health and Adult Safeguarding team 

 accepted that bespoke refresher training for frontline officers in 

lead which sits within the Continuous Policing Improvement Command.
told me of initiatives and training developments addressing mental health within 
policing. 
helpjng to deaJ with those suffering ment.al health epjsodes was in the process of 
 referred me to initiatives by the MPS Western 
being developed by the MPS. 
Area Mental Health Team which had an element of training about the signs of 
mental ill-health and learning disorders, and general communication in a mental 
health crisis, and also referred to a one day course rolled out in 2018-19 for 
officers on mental health issues. 

5  Matters of Concern: 

( 1)  Whilst recognising that police officers cannot be doctors or nurses nor should 

they be,  it is a concern that training for officers whether initial or refresher is not 
sufficiently focused on: 
(a)  an understanding of the symptoms and presentation of mental health 

conditions; 

(b)  possible practical strategies informed by mentaJ health professionals and 
those suffering such conditions as will enable officers to optimise their 
decision making under the national decision making model. 

 
 6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and l believe your 
organisation has the power to take such action.  It is for each addressee to respond to 
matwrs o;lcvant to them. 

7 

YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report. 1, 
the coroner, may extend the period. 

Your response must contain details ofaction 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 lnteresled 
Persons: 

The Family of Daniel Lyle

 (MPS) 

IOPC-

LAS -

l am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your re:,-ponse. 

The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary 
form. He may send a copy ofthis 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 Ch.ief 
Coroner. 

9 

23May2023 

Paul Rogers 

HM Assistant Coroner Inner West Loo.don 

Inner West London Coroner's Court 
33 Tacbbrook Street 
London SWIP 2ED

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