Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2025

Saranveer Sihota

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2025-0540, written 23 Oct 2025. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report23 Oct 2025
Reference2025-0540
DeceasedSaranveer Sihota
CoronerPeter Nieto
Coroner areaDerby and Derbyshire
CategorySuicide (from 2015)
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 

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

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:  

Chesterfield Borough Council 

1  CORONER 

I am Peter Nieto, senior coroner for Derby and Derbyshire coroner’s 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  29  February  2024  I  commenced  an  investigation  into  the  death  of  Mr  Saranveer  Singh 
Sihota aged 42.  The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 25 September 2025.  
The inquest was a jury inquest as Mr Sihota was a detained patient under the Mental Health 
Act 1983 at the time of his death. The conclusion of the inquest was: - 

Suicide 

4  CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Mr Saranveer Singh Sihota (known as Sunny) died on Friday 23 February 2024 at 

in Chesterfield. He died due to injuries sustained 

Immediately before he had been perched on the low perimeter wall of the top storey.  

  a  height  of  approximately  70  feet. 

Sunny was a detained patient at the then Hartington mental health unit at the Callow site in 
Chesterfield. He had left the unit without permission and without the knowledge of staff 

staff and police were unable to 

dissuade Sunny from his actions. 

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:  

 has a relatively 
It is reported to me that the 
low wall to it. Given  the  height  of the top floor  there  appears  to be  a clear  risk  that, either 
deliberately or accidentally, people might fall to the ground with high chance of death. I am 
not aware of what barriers there may be to the perimeters of the lower floors.  

The police officer who enquired into Sunny’s death has provided the following list of incidents 
to me (please note this was a quick search which is believed to be an underestimate of the 
number, and notably does not include Sunny’s tragic death): - 

CONTROLLED 

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I note that Sunny instructed the taxi driver to travel directly from the mental health unit to the 
, indicating his knowledge of the opportunity this provided to take his own life. It may 
reasonably  be  considered  that  others  with  thoughts  of  suicide  may  similarly  consider  that 
location.    

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 December 18, 2025.  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     

, Sunny’s mother 

 
 
, Sunny’s aunt 
 
  Derbyshire Healthcare NHS FT 

, Sunny’s father 

I have also sent it to Derbyshire Police who may find it useful or of interest. 

CONTROLLED 

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 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: 23 October 2025 

Peter Nieto 
Senior coroner 
Derby and Derbyshire 

CONTROLLED 

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

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 Chestfield Borough Council (PDF)
Peter Nieto 
Senior Coroner  
Derby and Derbyshire  

Dear Mr. Nieto,   

Date: 15.12.25 

RESPONSE TO REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS  

This is Chesterfield Borough Council’s response to your report made under paragraph 7, 
schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and Regulations 28 and 29 of the 
Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013, dated 23 October 2025, following the tragic 
death of Mr. Saranveer Singh Sihota on 23 February 2024.  

We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Sihota and also thank you for your 
conduct of the inquest and for your identification of matters of concern.  

Within your report you raise concerns about the top floor of 

 having a relatively low wall and that given the height of the top floor there 
appears to be a clear risk that, either deliberately or accidentally, people might fall to the 
ground with high chance of death. You have asked us to consider actions we have taken 
or could take to prevent future deaths at this site.   

Chesterfield Borough Council undertook a full investigation following the tragic death of 
Mr. Sihota, focusing on what measures could be taken to prevent future death or injury. 

 first opened in 1981, with all floors including the top 

floor being used for car parking. Following Mr. Sihota’s death, the top floor of the car park 
was closed to the public immediately utilising temporary fencing.  

A full closure scheme with enhanced suicide prevention measures was then developed to 
prevent any unauthorised access to the top floor permanently. This included the 
installation of full height, heavy duty gates and fencing. The permanent enhanced closure 
for the top floor of the car park was completed in March 2024.The following photos have 
been supplied to show the suicide prevention measures installed: 
  Photos 1, 2 and 3 show the heavy duty fencing installed to prevent members of the 

public from climbing on ledges to reach the top floor of the car park  

  Photos 4 and 5 show the use of heavy duty fencing to close gaps between the sixth 

floor and top floor 

  Photos 6 and 7 show the heavy duty locked gates installed to prevent members of the 

public from accessing the car ramp to the top floor of the car park  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 In addition to the 
 which opened in July 2019. In the 38 years 
owns a multi-storey car park at 
between the construction of the two car parks, construction standards have changed 
significantly, and suicide prevention measures were built into the construction of the new 
Saltergate car park.  

, Chesterfield Borough Council 

Once again, we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for highlighting these 
matters of concern, and for giving us the opportunity to respond. We will continue to 
regularly review the effectiveness of the suicide prevention schemes at both sites.  

Yours sincerely, 

Service Director for Leisure, Culture and Community Wellbeing

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