Overview
- At a Norwich coroner’s inquest, officials described how a hydraulic scissor lift used to move coffins trapped 58-year-old Sally Blundell in December 2023.
- HSE evidence said the return spring on the control handle did not close the valve on its own, and a problem with the release lever could have let the platform descend unexpectedly.
- Records showed the 200kg trolley, built in 2008, passed an October 2023 check with no defects, and staff files indicated Ms Blundell’s safety training was up to date.
- Branch cameras did not cover the mortuary room, but footage showed her at 9:46am, a grieving family raised the alarm when no staff appeared for an 11am visit, and a colleague found her just after noon.
- The inquest is also reviewing lone-working safeguards after a 10am check-in was closed by a remote alarm center, which could prompt wider reviews of equipment maintenance and staffing policies across funeral care.