Peter Jonathan Gledhill · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 24/8/17 I opened an inquest into the death of Peter Jonathan Gledhill who, at the date of his death was aged 44 years old. The inquest was resumed and concluded on 13/8/18
I found the cause of death to be: -
1a. Multiple injuries

I concluded with a narrative conclusion as follows:
On 15 November 2017 Peter Jonathan Gledhill was found face down in Hebden Water, near Lee Mill Road, Hebden Bridge, after he had an unwitnessed fall from a height. Although it is found that he died from the multiple injuries he sustained in the fall and third party involvement can be excluded, the circumstances of the fall and his intentions remain unclear.

On 15/11/18 Peter Jonathan Gledhill at approximately 3.45pm and 4pm sent worrying text messages to his wife. This prompted his wife to make several unsuccessful attempts to re contact him by phone. At approximately 4.30pm Mr Gledhill’s phone was answered by a member of the public walking his dog along the river towards Hardcastle Craggs after finding it on the ground near to his coat. After providing details of the location, at Hebden Waters, near Lee Moll Road, Hebden Bridge, the witness then saw that Mr Gledhill had fallen 25 feet down an embankment and was face down in the river. Upon the arrival of police and paramedics to the scene Mr Gledhill was found to have passed away.

To review safety aspects of the pathway running along the steep embankment overlooking the river and consider the appropriateness of fencing.