Mum, 39, dies as bed lands on her neck in tragic accident

A coroner has issued a warning after a woman died due to a faulty ottoman bed

A mum-of-two died in a tragic accident after becoming trapped in a faulty ottoman bed. Helen Davey, 39, was "unable to free herself" when the raised mattress platform suddenly slammed down, pinning her neck against the bed's base at her home in County Durham on June 7.

An inquest into Helen’s death found one of the two gas-lift pistons were defective. Crook Coroners’ Court was told Helen died of “positional asphyxia”, and that she was found by her 19-year-old daughter.

Durham and Darlington's senior coroner, Jeremy Chipperfield, has issued a warning, and is calling on the government to take action and prevent more deaths from similar accidents. As reported by Chronicle Live, Mr Chipperfield noted in his report: "During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken."

Mr Chipperfield said it was his duty to raise concerns with the Office for Product Safety and Standards and the Department for Business and Trade about "the existence and use of gas piston bed mechanisms whose failure presents risk to life." He added: "In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action."