Accidental death verdict in lift shaft fall
Simon Murray was instructed by Leigh Day Solicitors to represent the family at the inquest of Craig Jones. Mr Jones had died when he tried to escape from a lift in his apartment block after it broke down between floors. He sounded the alarm but received no response and so prised open the doors, slipped through a gap and fell down the shaft.
The inquest jury recorded a verdict of accidental death at Bolton Crown Court. They highlighted faults with the lift, the instructions for raising the alarm, the emergency communications system, the management company, landlord and monitoring procedures. They commented “All these factors led to Craig Jones attempting to escape from the lift and his death.”
Coroner Jennifer Leeming said in her summing-up that she would be writing a report expressing her concerns, specifically over the continuing situation of the sometimes faulty lift and the unreliable emergency call button service.
The inquest was reported in the Bolton News.