Coroner issues warning after death of woman trapped in ottoman-style bed

A coroner has issued a warning after a woman died after becoming trapped in an ottoman-style bed.

Helen Davey, 39, died from asphyxia at her home in Seaham, County Durham, when she was unable to free herself from the bed while she was leaning over the storage area.

According to reports, the beautician was discovered by her daughter, who tried to free her from the bed, which was able to be lifted using gas-powered pistons, one of which was defective.

An inquest was held earlier this month in Crook, County Durham, where Senior Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield recorded Ms Davey’s death as accidental.

To help prevent future deaths, coroners can write reports urging other authorities to consider taking action.

Mr Chipperfield has written to the Business Secretary and the Office for Product Safety and Standards.

He said: “The deceased was leaning over the storage area of an ottoman-styled ‘gas-lift bed’ when the mattress platform descended unexpectedly, trapping her neck against the upper surface of the side panel of the bed’s base.

“Unable to free herself, she died of positional asphyxia.

“One of the two gas-lift pistons was defective.”

The coroner concluded that a matter of concern was “the existence and use of gas-piston bed mechanisms whose failure presents risk to life”.