Woman died after ‘defective’ Ottoman-style bed fell and trapped her

Published

3 weeks ago

October 14, 2024

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A “defective” Ottoman-style bed caused the death of a woman after it fell and trapped her, according to a coroner’s report.

Helen Davey, 39, was leaning over the bed’s storage area when its gas-lifted section came down.

According to a coroner’s report, her neck became trapped against the bed’s base, and she was unable to free herself and died from asphyxia at her home in Seaham, County Durham.

The beautician was reportedly found lying on her back with her head under the bed by her daughter Elizabeth, who tried to free her, according to The Northern Echo.

Jeremy Chipperfield, a coroner in Durham and Darlington, ruled at an inquest earlier this month at Crook Coroners’ Court, that Ms Davey’s death was an accident.

To help prevent future deaths, coroners can write reports urging other authorities to consider taking action.

In a report to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and the Office of Product Safety and Standards, Mr Chipperfield said one of two gas pistons used for lifting Ms Davey’s bed was “defective”.

“The deceased was leaning over the storage area of an Ottoman-styled ‘gas-lift bed’ when the mattress platform descended unexpectedly, trapping her neck against the upper surface of the side panel of the bed’s base,” the coroner wrote.

“Unable to free herself, she died of positional asphyxia. One of the two gas-lift pistons was defective.”

He said unless action is taken, there is a risk that future deaths could occur.

“In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action,” he wrote.

Ms Davey was described by her father during the inquest as “very independent, a strong individual with strong opinions [who was] fiercely loyal”, The Northern Echo reported.

UK

Bird flu outbreak reported in Yorkshire, mass cull of poultry ordered

Published

3 hours ago

November 6, 2024

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Bird flu outbreak reported in Yorkshire, mass cull of poultry ordered

A mass cull of poultry has been ordered after an outbreak of bird flu on a farm in Yorkshire.

A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place around the farm near Hornsea in the East Riding of Yorkshire and all the fowl on the property will be destroyed, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said.

The discovery of the H5N5 variant of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on the farm means DEFRA has increased the risk warning for wild birds “from medium to high”.

The virus is typically spread through birds’ faeces, mucus and saliva.

“All bird keepers are urged to remain vigilant and take action to protect their birds following a further increase in the avian influenza (‘bird flu’) risk levels in Great Britain,” DEFRA said in a statement.

Bird flu may be evolving under the radar

Bird flu has killed hundreds of millions of birds around the globe in recent years, and has increasingly spread to mammals, raising concerns it may lead to human-to-human transmission.

The last avian flu outbreak in the UK happened in February and was described as the country’s largest ever.

That was the H5N1 strain, while the latest outbreak in Hornsea is the H5N5 strain.

In July, US scientists said their was “strong evidence” bird flu has spread from mammals to humans for the first time, marking another step in the evolution of the deadly virus.

Analysis concluded a Texas farm worker who tested positive for the H5N1 virus caught it from sick dairy cattle.

Although there have been other people infected with the virus in recent years – including some who have died – they all acquired it from birds.

UK

Bonfire Night disorder across Edinburgh – youths hurl fireworks at police and start fires

Published

5 hours ago

November 6, 2024

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Bonfire Night disorder across Edinburgh - youths hurl fireworks at police and start fires

Large groups of youths have been throwing fireworks, bricks and bottles at police in Edinburgh, during a night of disorder across the city.

Video posted online shows officers responding to Bonfire Night incidents in the Sighthill, Niddrie, Gracemount and Gilmerton areas.

Riot police have been seen on the streets of Edinburgh, wearing helmets and carrying shields, as fireworks were lit and exploded around them.

Footage from Gilmerton, a suburb in the southeast of the city, also showed burning debris in the street as youths rode on bicycles.

Police were given extra stop and search powers in certain areas following “intelligence” about planned disorder and firework-related crime.

Superintendent Neil Wilson said: “We are currently responding to incidents of disorder involving large groups of youths throwing a range of objects, including fireworks, bricks and bottles, across Edinburgh.”

A helicopter was also deployed as part of Operation Moonbeam, aimed at supporting local police in tackling fireworks-related offences.

Meanwhile Lothian Buses withdrew all services from the Niddrie area for safety reasons.

Niddrie was also the scene of disorder on 31 October, when police and public transport vehicles were pelted with fireworks and bricks.

On Tuesday, officers in Glasgow seized a “significant quantity” of fireworks from a van in the Drumchapel area which it is alleged were being “sold to the general public, including children”.

Scotland’s first fireworks control zones (FCZ) are in place in parts of Edinburgh and Glasgow from 1 to 10 November.

Those convicted of setting off a firework within a FCZ face a fine of up to £5,000 and up to six months in jail.

Meanwhile, it appears the famous Lewes bonfire night celebrations in East Sussex went off without incident after police urged people not to attend because of overcrowding concerns.

The so-called “bonfire capital of the world” is famous for burning effigies of controversial politicians and celebrities.

This year they included former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

UK

Queen Camilla withdraws from engagements after becoming unwell with chest infection

Published

15 hours ago

November 5, 2024

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Queen Camilla withdraws from engagements after becoming unwell with chest infection

The Queen is unwell with a chest infection and has withdrawn from her engagements this week, Buckingham Palace has announced.

A palace spokesperson said Camilla’s doctors “have advised a short period of rest” and added that “with great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week”.

They added the Queen “very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekend’s Remembrance events as normal”.

“She apologises to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result,” they said.

It is understood the Queen is currently resting at home and is under doctor’s supervision.

Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester, has stepped in on Camilla’s behalf to attend the annual opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Thursday.

The Queen has also withdrawn from a Buckingham Palace reception for Olympic and Paralympic athletes hosted by the King on the same evening.