Woman died after Ottoman bed fell and trapped her, reads coroner's report

A coroner has urged for action to prevent future deaths following the tragic incident involving a defective Ottoman-style bed that led to the death of 39-year-old Helen Davey.

According to the coroner's report, Ms Davey was leaning over the bed’s storage area when the gas-lifted section unexpectedly descended, trapping her neck against the bed's base. She subsequently died from asphyxia at her home.

The beautician was discovered lying on her back with her head trapped under the bed by her daughter, Elizabeth, who attempted to free her, as reported by The Northern Echo.

Jeremy Chipperfield, coroner for Durham and Darlington, ruled the death as accidental during an inquest at Crook Coroners' Court earlier this month. He highlighted that one of the two gas pistons used for lifting the bed was "defective."

"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," Chipperfield stated.

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

In his report to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and the Office of Product Safety and Standards, Chipperfield warned that unless action is taken, similar incidents could occur in the future.

"In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths, and I believe you have the power to take such action," he wrote.

During the inquest, Ms Davey's father described her as "very independent, a strong individual with strong opinions [who was] fiercely loyal," highlighting the profound impact of her loss on the family.