Christopher John Smith · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 22nd July 2015 I commenced an investigation into the death of Christopher John Smith, born on 27th December 1979. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 21st October 2015. The medical cause of death was 1a) Multiple Injuries. The conclusion of the inquest was that Christopher John Smith committed suicide.

On the 15th July 2015 the deceased, Christopher John Smith, was seen driving his motor vehicle across Barton Bridge in a northbound direction. He stopped the car on the left hand side of the inner lane, exited the vehicle and climbed over the railings. Witnesses confirmed that he did not pause or hesitate, before jumping from the bridge to the rough ground below. He was confirmed dead at the scene and the pathologist who gave evidence at the Inquest confirmed that in his view, on a balance of probabilities, Christopher John Smith’s death would have been instantaneous.

1) It was clear from the evidence that there was a 12 minute delay in the police contacting the ambulance – the police were notified of the incident but did not contact North West Ambulance Service immediately.

2) In the circumstances of this Inquest I was satisfied that this delay had not had any relevance with regards to Christopher Smith’s death, given that the pathologist had concluded that his death was instantaneous. Any delay in the ambulance arriving was therefore not going to save his life.

3) However, it is perfectly possible to foresee circumstances where a delay in calling for an ambulance may have an effect on the outcome, where someone has jumped or fallen from a lesser distance.

4) I was told that the 12 minute delay was due to a breakdown in communication between Greater Manchester Police control room and the Motorway Control – Greater Manchester Police thought that the Motorway Control were contacting the ambulance and vice versa.

5) It seems to me that procedure should be in place whereby it is immediately established who is going to be responsible for calling the ambulance to avoid any delays, and the ambulance is called for at once.