Stephen Peter Simpson · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 14th March 2014 I commenced an investigation into the death of Stephen Peter Simpson, a fifty year old man, who died in hospital as a result of a skull fracture after a fall at home on the 14th March 2014. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 10th June 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was that Stephen Peter Simpson died as a result of an accident, the medical cause of death being:-

1a Brain Haemorrhage
1b Skull Fracture

Mr Simpson appears to have fallen down communal concrete stairs during late evening on 13th March 2014 and struck his head on the external door immediately at the bottom of the stairwell. Mr Simpson was showing faint signs of life when found by a neighbour the next morning and paramedics were called. Sadly he could not be resuscitated and death was pronounced at Wansbeck General Hospital at 13.50 hours.

The design of the building is that there is no entrance lobby or passageway to arrest any accidental fall, with the result that any person who slips or falls while negotiating the communal stairs is liable to sustain serious injury from making impact with the solid external door. Additionally, the stairs are constructed of smooth concrete without the addition of any non-slip surface. Even if a non-slip surface was present, this would not obviate the risk of serious injury or death from impact with the external door, if a person falls from the stairs.