Saranveer Sihota
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2025-0540
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 18 Dec 2025
Sent To
Response Status
Responses
1 of 1
56-Day Deadline
18 Dec 2025
All responses received
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
It is reported to me that the has a relatively low wall to it. Given the height of the top floor there appears to be a clear risk that, either deliberately or accidentally, people might fall to the ground with high chance of death. I am not aware of what barriers there may be to the perimeters of the lower floors.
The police officer who enquired into Sunny’s death has provided the following list of incidents to me (please note this was a quick search which is believed to be an underestimate of the number, and notably does not include Sunny’s tragic death): - CONTROLLED
I note that Sunny instructed the taxi driver to travel directly from the mental health unit to the , indicating his knowledge of the opportunity this provided to take his own life. It may reasonably be considered that others with thoughts of suicide may similarly consider that location.
The police officer who enquired into Sunny’s death has provided the following list of incidents to me (please note this was a quick search which is believed to be an underestimate of the number, and notably does not include Sunny’s tragic death): - CONTROLLED
I note that Sunny instructed the taxi driver to travel directly from the mental health unit to the , indicating his knowledge of the opportunity this provided to take his own life. It may reasonably be considered that others with thoughts of suicide may similarly consider that location.
Responses
The council immediately closed the top floor of the car park using temporary fencing and completed permanent enhanced suicide prevention measures in March 2024, including full-height, heavy-duty gates and fencing to prevent unauthorised access.
AI summary
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Dear Mr. Nieto, RESPONSE TO REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS This is Chesterfield Borough Council’s response to your report made under paragraph 7, schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and Regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013, dated 23 October 2025, following the tragic death of Mr. Saranveer Singh Sihota on 23 February 2024.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Sihota and also thank you for your conduct of the inquest and for your identification of matters of concern.
Within your report you raise concerns about the top floor of having a relatively low wall and that given the height of the top floor there appears to be a clear risk that, either deliberately or accidentally, people might fall to the ground with high chance of death. You have asked us to consider actions we have taken or could take to prevent future deaths at this site.
Chesterfield Borough Council undertook a full investigation following the tragic death of Mr. Sihota, focusing on what measures could be taken to prevent future death or injury. first opened in 1981, with all floors including the top floor being used for car parking. Following Mr. Sihota’s death, the top floor of the car park was closed to the public immediately utilising temporary fencing.
A full closure scheme with enhanced suicide prevention measures was then developed to prevent any unauthorised access to the top floor permanently. This included the installation of full height, heavy duty gates and fencing. The permanent enhanced closure for the top floor of the car park was completed in March 2024.The following photos have been supplied to show the suicide prevention measures installed: Photos 1, 2 and 3 show the heavy duty fencing installed to prevent members of the public from climbing on ledges to reach the top floor of the car park Photos 4 and 5 show the use of heavy duty fencing to close gaps between the sixth floor and top floor Photos 6 and 7 show the heavy duty locked gates installed to prevent members of the public from accessing the car ramp to the top floor of the car park
In addition to the , Chesterfield Borough Council owns a multi-storey car park at which opened in July 2019. In the 38 years between the construction of the two car parks, construction standards have changed significantly, and suicide prevention measures were built into the construction of the new Saltergate car park.
Once again, we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for highlighting these matters of concern, and for giving us the opportunity to respond. We will continue to regularly review the effectiveness of the suicide prevention schemes at both sites.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Sihota and also thank you for your conduct of the inquest and for your identification of matters of concern.
Within your report you raise concerns about the top floor of having a relatively low wall and that given the height of the top floor there appears to be a clear risk that, either deliberately or accidentally, people might fall to the ground with high chance of death. You have asked us to consider actions we have taken or could take to prevent future deaths at this site.
Chesterfield Borough Council undertook a full investigation following the tragic death of Mr. Sihota, focusing on what measures could be taken to prevent future death or injury. first opened in 1981, with all floors including the top floor being used for car parking. Following Mr. Sihota’s death, the top floor of the car park was closed to the public immediately utilising temporary fencing.
A full closure scheme with enhanced suicide prevention measures was then developed to prevent any unauthorised access to the top floor permanently. This included the installation of full height, heavy duty gates and fencing. The permanent enhanced closure for the top floor of the car park was completed in March 2024.The following photos have been supplied to show the suicide prevention measures installed: Photos 1, 2 and 3 show the heavy duty fencing installed to prevent members of the public from climbing on ledges to reach the top floor of the car park Photos 4 and 5 show the use of heavy duty fencing to close gaps between the sixth floor and top floor Photos 6 and 7 show the heavy duty locked gates installed to prevent members of the public from accessing the car ramp to the top floor of the car park
In addition to the , Chesterfield Borough Council owns a multi-storey car park at which opened in July 2019. In the 38 years between the construction of the two car parks, construction standards have changed significantly, and suicide prevention measures were built into the construction of the new Saltergate car park.
Once again, we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for highlighting these matters of concern, and for giving us the opportunity to respond. We will continue to regularly review the effectiveness of the suicide prevention schemes at both sites.
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 29 February 2024 I commenced an investigation into the death of Mr Saranveer Singh Sihota aged 42. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 25 September 2025. The inquest was a jury inquest as Mr Sihota was a detained patient under the Mental Health Act 1983 at the time of his death. The conclusion of the inquest was: -
Suicide
Suicide
Circumstances of the Death
Mr Saranveer Singh Sihota (known as Sunny) died on Friday 23 February 2024 at in Chesterfield. He died due to injuries sustained a height of approximately 70 feet. Immediately before he had been perched on the low perimeter wall of the top storey.
Sunny was a detained patient at the then Hartington mental health unit at the Callow site in Chesterfield. He had left the unit without permission and without the knowledge of staff staff and police were unable to dissuade Sunny from his actions.
Sunny was a detained patient at the then Hartington mental health unit at the Callow site in Chesterfield. He had left the unit without permission and without the knowledge of staff staff and police were unable to dissuade Sunny from his actions.
Copies Sent To
, Sunny’s aunt
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS FT
Derbyshire Police
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.