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Coroner Finds Student Crushed by Her Car After It Slipped on Icy Driveway

The inquest prompted a prevention of future deaths report that requires the accommodation owner to set out safety actions within 56 days.

Overview

  • On January 4, 21-year-old student Eleisha Skinner reverse-parked on a sloped driveway in High Wycombe and was pinned against a wall when her Audi A1 slipped while she unloaded the boot.
  • She was taken to hospital and died on January 8 after a medical examination found anoxic brain injury caused by asphyxia compression, meaning pressure on her body stopped her from breathing properly.
  • Police and inquest testimony said the driveway was icy, had not been salted or gritted, and had no barrier or railings to stop an overrun.
  • The coroner recorded that the car was in neutral with the handbrake fully up and had no mechanical defects, and he issued a prevention of future deaths report to Howarth Property giving the firm 56 days to say what it will do.
  • Buckinghamshire New University will award Ms Skinner a posthumous BSc and her family tribute was read at the inquest, and the case is likely to prompt closer scrutiny of winter maintenance and safety measures at student housing.