UK Inquiry Tracker

Brema Virgo

PFD Report No Identified Response Ref: 2026-0126

Date of Report 27 February 2026

Coroner Frazer Stuart

Coroner Area Gwent

Response Deadline est. 24 April 2026

Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)

Flawed methods for assessing pavement defect heights result in relevant hazards not being identified and remedial action not being taken, creating a risk of future deaths.

View full coroner's concerns

The methods used for assessing and interpreting height of the defects in pavements allows for circumstances to occur whereby the actual height of the entire defect may not be reflected. Relevant defects may not be properly identified resulting in preventative remedial action not being taken, which presents a a risk of future deaths.

Sent To

Newport City Council – Highways

Response Status

Linked responses 0 of 1

56-Day Deadline 24 Apr 2026

About PFD responses

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

Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Report Sections

Investigation and Inquest

On 31 July 2025 I commenced an investigation into the death of Brema Elizabeth VIRGO aged 77. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 27 February 2026. Brema Elizabeth Virgo died on the 23rd July 2025, at The Grange Hospital, Cwmbran, of a head injury sustained following a trip over a utilities cover.

Circumstances of the Death

On Wednesday 23rd July 2025 Brema Elizabeth Virgo was walking along the pavement when she tripped over a raised manhole cover causing her to fall forward onto the ground where she received a significant head injury. She was conveyed to the Grange University Hospital where a CT head demonstrated a large left-sided extradural haematoma with subarachnoid and intraventricular extension causing acute hydrocephalus and tonsillar herniation, as well as fractures of the left maxillary wall and left infraorbital floor. No neurosurgical interventions were possible and it was determined that palliation was in Brema’s best interests. At 2118hrs that day, Brema was declared life extinct.