Norwich jury concludes that death of Mrs Blundell was an Accident

The Inquest into the death of Mrs Blundell, who died in December 2023 while lone working at the East of England Co-op Funeral Services branch in Swaffham, has been taking place in Norwich this week in front of Coroner Yvonne Blake. The jury concluded on Thursday that Mrs Blundell’s death was an Accident.

Mrs Blundell died after being caught in the scissor lift mechanism of a mortuary trolley. The jury heard evidence that she was found by a colleague, who had driven from a different branch, once the alarm was raised by a concerned member of the public who had arranged to attend the funeral parlour with her sister to see a deceased relative. Evidence presented heard during the Inquest indicated that the release lever of the hydraulic scissor lift mortuary trolley was faulty, meaning that the hoist was “not fully operative” and did not close the hydraulic valve completely which allowed an unintended descent. During the course of the Inquest, engineering experts were questioned about the possible reasons for the failure of that specific part and possible ways to avoid that failure or detect that failure. This issue was known to the manufacturer since 2018. Evidence was also heard that a check in system designed to monitor lone workers, failed to follow due process that morning.

Mrs Blundell was a wife, mother and grandmother, and described by her daughter as well-liked and social with a wide network of friends. Her employers described her as “experienced”, “competent”, “a stickler for rules” and someone who “always worked safely”.

Mrs Blundell’s family’s lawyer is Michael Wangermann from Ashtons Legal. He comments:

“Jury inquests are relatively uncommon, but one was required in this instance because Mrs Blundell’s death occurred in the workplace. This ensures transparency and independent scrutiny of employer actions. The employer and the manufacturers all provided evidence on what appeared to have happened that day but also indicated steps taken to prevent a recurrence since that day.

A core role of the Coroner is not just in assisting a jury to come to a conclusion on the facts but also to consider a prevention of future death report. The family understands that the Coroner is intending to make such a report following the findings that arose in this case. Reducing the chances of this happening to anyone else is uppermost for all parties involved, as is sympathy for the family left behind.

Attending the Inquest of a loved one is always difficult, and we were pleased to be able to support Mrs Blundell’s family through this ordeal.”