Elizabeth Turnbull

PFD Report Historic (No Identified Response) Ref: 2014-0035
Date of Report 24 January 2014
Coroner Nicola Mundy
Response Deadline est. 21 March 2014
No published response · Over 2 years old
Sent To
  • HM Principle Specialist Inspector
  • British Industrial Truck Association
Response Status
Responses 0 of 2
56-Day Deadline 21 Mar 2014
Over 2 years old — no identified published response
About PFD responses

Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.

Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Coroner’s Concerns
(1) The layout of the thumbwheel controls namely one immediately above the other, the first controlling release of locking pins which secure buckets and attachments, and the second thumbwheel used to move the telescopic arm backwards and forwards.

(2) The absence of any dual controls which would both have to be activated before the pins could be released.

(3) Due to 1 and 2 above the ease at which the user could inadvertently release locking pins rather than moving the telescopic arm
Action Should Be Taken
2
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 21st June 2013 I commenced an investigation into the death of Elizabeth Joy Turnbull, age 65. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 20th January 2014. The medical cause of death was 1a Hypoxic Brain Injury (clinical), 1b Cervical spine injury with tetraplegia and multiple chest fractures, 1c Mechanical crush trauma. The short form conclusion of the Jury was accidental death.
Circumstances of the Death
On the 8th June 2013 Elizabeth Joy Turnbull was helping her husband repair a stock fence when the bucket attached to the end of a telehandler being used to drive the fence posts in dislodged from the clevices and fell onto Mrs Turnbull. She died on the 15th June 2013 due to injuries sustained as a result of crush trauma.
Related Inquiry Recommendations

Public inquiry recommendations addressing similar themes

Replace Buried Metallic LPG Pipes
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New LPG Safety Regime
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LPG Supplier Registration
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Polyethylene Piping Research
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Limit perimeter fencing height to a maximum of 2.2 metres
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Paint and mark all emergency gates in fences with "Emergency Exit
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Keep all perimeter fence gates to pitch unlocked and open during matches
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Annually inspect all crush barriers for corrosion; repair or replace as needed
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.