Mum, 39, died in freak accident as faulty Ottoman bed fell on her

A coroner has issued an urgent warning to the UK government after the freak accident claimed the life of mum-of-two Helen

A coroner has issued a warning after a mum-of-two tragically died following a freak accident which saw her become trapped by a faulty Ottoman bed. Helen Davey, 39, was left pinned against the base of the bed by her neck, after the raised mattress platform suddenly slammed down on her.

Helen was "unable to free herself" during the incident at her County Durham home on June 7. An inquest was held and the senior coroner for Durham and Darlington, Jeremy Chipperfield, issued a formal warning to the UK government, reports MirrorOnline.

He has called for urgent action in a bid to prevent similar incidents from taking place. The inquest attributed the accident to a gas-lift piston that malfunctioned.

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Helen ran beauty business from her home called All Dolled Up. She also had a 19-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, and 11-year-old George.

In June, a heartbreaking public tribute was made by her daughter who wrote: "I can’t even begin to process that it’s real and your (sic) not just going to walk through the door. Mine and George’s best friend from day one, I will always wish we had more time together and that you were still by our side supporting us through everything as always.

"I hope you know how much I love you and that I’d do anything for one more cuddle. Until we meet again my angel."

The coroner, Mr Chipperfield, said: "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. Unable to free herself, she died of positional asphyxia. 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 has notified the Office for Product Safety and Standards and the Department for Business and Trade about the risks associated with malfunctioning gas piston beds, emphasising the need for preventive measures: "In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action."