Home / Disasters and Accidents / Funeral Director Crushed by Equipment
Funeral Director Crushed by Equipment
23 Mar
Summary
- An undertaker died after being crushed by a mortuary trolley.
- Concerns about lone working were reportedly raised by the deceased.
- A mechanical fault on the hydraulic lift was discovered post-incident.
A funeral administrator tragically died after being crushed by a piece of equipment at a funeral parlour in Swaffham, Norfolk. Sally Blundell, 58, was found deceased on December 1, 2023, at the East of England Co-op Funeral Services branch. A colleague discovered her after concerns were raised when a family found no staff present for an appointment.
The inquest revealed that a 200kg hydraulic scissor lift mortuary trolley had come down on Mrs. Blundell, crushing her chest. Medical cause of death was recorded as contusion and compression of the chest. Investigations by Breckland Council identified potential mechanical issues with the trolley, including a faulty return spring on the control handle.
It was also noted that the deceased may have previously raised concerns about working alone at the branch. The hydraulic lift, manufactured in 2018, had last been checked in October 2023, with no defects reported at that time. The inquest, being heard with a jury, is ongoing.
