Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2024

Fredrick Dunbavin

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2024-0396, written 23 Jul 2024. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report23 Jul 2024
Reference2024-0396
DeceasedFredrick Dunbavin
CoronerBrendan Allen
Coroner areaDorset
CategoryOther related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses published1

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) 

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

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1. 

, Director 

Seascape Homes and Property Limited 

1  CORONER 

I am Brendan Joseph Allen, Area Coroner, for the Coroner Area of Dorset 

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 14th December 2023, an investigation was commenced into the death 
of Frederick Barrie Dunbavin, born on the 30th June 1948. 

The investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on the 9th July 2024. 

The Medical Cause of Death was: 

1a Multiple Injuries 

1b  

1c  

2 Complete Occlusion of the Left Coronary Artery 

The conclusion of the Inquest recorded that Frederick Barrie Dunbavin died as 
a consequence of an accident. 

4  CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Frederick  Barrie  Dunbavin,  who  was  diagnosed  with  dementia  and  who 

experienced periods of confusion, fell from a wooded area in the grounds of 

the Treetop Apartments 

 onto a concrete 

path that runs to the rear of the St Stephen’s church hall.  

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 As  a consequence  of the fall, Mr  Dunbavin sustained  multiple injuries, which 

caused his death. A police investigation revealed there is a low wooden fence 

separating  the  wooded  area  from  a  parking  area  at  the  apartment  complex. 

However, there is a gap in the fence, allowing easy access to the woodland, 

and no barrier between the wooded area and the drop onto the path that runs 

to the rear of the church hall.  

5  CORONER’S CONCERNS 

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows:   

1.  During the inquest evidence was heard that: 

i. 

There  is  open  access  from  the  carpark  area  at  The  Treetops 

Apartment  complex  to  the  wooded  area  that  Mr  Dunbavin 

accessed before he fell. In addition, there is no barrier between 

the edge of wooded area and the pathway that runs to the rear 

of the church hall. Finally, there is no signage to warn that there 

is a dangerous drop from the edge of the wooded area onto the 

path below. 

2.  I have concerns with regard to the following: 

i. 

Mr  Dunbavin  sustained  multiple  injuries  following  a  fall  from  the 

wooded area at the Treetops Apartment complex, having accessed 

the  wooded  area  from  the  parking  area.  There  was  nothing  that 

prevented him from accessing this area, or warning him of the drop 

from  the  wooded  area.  I  understand  that  no  changes  have  been 

made subsequent to Mr Dunbavin’s death. Therefore, there remains 

a risk that access can be easily gained to this area, with a risk of 

life-threatening injuries should anyone fall from the wooded area to 

the path below. 

6  ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

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

2 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7  YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of 
this report, by 17th September 2024. 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: 

(1) 

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  Dated 

23rd July 2024 

Signed

Brendan J Allen  

3

Responses

1 response published against this report on judiciary.uk. A response is a body's written reply to the coroner's concerns; publication is at the discretion of the Chief Coroner's office, so an absent response does not mean nobody replied.

Response from Seascape Homes and Property Limited (PDF)
Private & Confidential

15 October 2024

Dear Coroner

RE: 35373940 Inquest on the death of Frederick Barrie Dunbavin

Firstly, I would like to apologise for the late response in regards to this matter. The board of
directors were awaiting legal advice around the responsibilities of the land in question which
the company lease from BCP Council.

The company has had a HHSRS assessment carried out.

It was the assessor qualified opinion that it would be reasonable to extend the existing metal
key clamp barrier along extent of the boundary to further deter access to the neighbouring
public land.

The Council is installing wire mesh along the bottom section of all metal key clamp barriers
on site to further restrict anyone gaining access.

In addition to the recommended works, signs advising ‘No Access & fall risk’ have also been
installed.

With regard  the fall risk which  is situated further in on the neighbouring public land, BCP
Highways manages the site. It will be for the relevant officer in BCP Highways to consider
how they are going to address/mitigate the fall risk.

Here’s  a  picture  of  Seascapes  boundary  with  the  neighbouring  public  land  to  refresh,  it
shows the metal key clamp arrangement on the left which is being extended across the full
length of the boundary to the right.

Yours sincerely

Director

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