This summer, a devastating accident occurred in Seaham, England, when 39-year-old Helen Davey was fatally suffocated by her malfunctioning gas-lift bed. A coroner’s report has revealed that the incident took place when Davey leaned over the bed to access its storage area.
The mattress platform unexpectedly collapsed, trapping her neck against the bed’s side panel. This tragic event ultimately led to her death by positional asphyxia, as one of the bed’s gas-lift pistons was found to be defective.
Davey’s daughter, Elizabeth, recounted the horrifying moment she returned home and discovered her mother’s body. She described entering her mother’s bedroom to find the door open and Davey lying on her back with her head wedged beneath the bed.
Elizabeth noted that her mother’s legs were bent, suggesting that she had been attempting to get up. The sight of her mother’s blue face and the indentation on her neck from the bed frame prompted Elizabeth to lift the heavy bed with her foot and begin CPR, although she quickly realized her mother was unresponsive.
The coroner, Jeremy Chipperfield, ruled the death an accident and expressed concern over the safety of gas piston mechanisms used in such beds. In his report, he highlighted the potential danger posed by the failure of these mechanisms, stating that without preventive action, similar incidents could occur again.
Malfunctioning Gas-Lift Bed Suffocates Woman in Tragic Accident, Sparking Safety Concerns
Chipperfield urged the Department for Business and Trade to implement measures to address these safety risks and protect consumers from future tragedies.
In a heartfelt statement to the court, Robert Casson, Davey’s father, remembered her as a strong and independent woman, devoted to her children, Elizabeth and George. He conveyed the deep sense of loss felt by the family, emphasizing Davey’s loyalty and love.
Following her mother’s death, Elizabeth shared her grief on social media, expressing the profound emotional turmoil of losing someone she believed would always be there.
The coroner’s report did not disclose the name of the manufacturer responsible for the defective gas-lift ottoman bed. However, the findings have sparked a call for increased safety measures to prevent further accidents involving similar furniture.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance regarding household items and the need for effective safety standards to prevent tragic accidents like Helen Davey’s from happening again.
