A tragic incident has led to a coroner issuing a warning about the potential dangers of gas piston ottoman beds, which may present a significant risk to life. This comes after the unfortunate death of 39-year-old Helen Davey, a mother of two from Seaham, County Durham, who passed away when her bed collapsed, trapping her between the mattress and the base.
Details of the Tragic Incident
On 7 June 2023, Helen Davey, a beautician who operated her business from home, died after becoming trapped under her gas-lift ottoman bed. The inquest into her death revealed that the bed’s gas pistons, designed to assist in lifting the mattress, failed, causing the bed to collapse on top of her. She suffocated after becoming trapped between the mattress and the base of the bed.
Helen’s 19-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Davey, discovered her mother in this horrific state. Elizabeth, who is also known as Betty, provided a statement that was read during the inquest at Crook Coroners Court.
A Daughter’s Heartbreaking Discovery
Elizabeth explained how she found her mother in her bedroom on the tragic day. “I went upstairs, my mam’s bedroom door was wide open, and I saw her lying on her back with her head under the bed,” she said. “Her legs were bent as if she was trying to get up.”
Elizabeth also noticed her mother’s dire condition, saying, “I noticed that her face was blue with a clear indent on her neck from the frame.” Despite her best efforts to free her mother and administer CPR, Helen was unresponsive. Elizabeth immediately called for help, but sadly, paramedics were unable to revive Helen, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cause of Death and Coroner’s Report
The inquest confirmed that Helen Davey died from positional asphyxia—a condition that occurs when a person’s position prevents them from breathing adequately. Senior coroner Jeremy Chipperfield described how Helen had been leaning over the storage area of the ottoman-style bed when the mattress platform suddenly dropped, trapping her neck against the side panel of the bed’s base.
A subsequent investigation by police revealed that one of the two gas pistons responsible for holding up the bed had failed. This malfunction caused the mattress to collapse unexpectedly.
Coroner’s Warning: A Call for Action
Following the investigation, Durham and Darlington’s senior coroner Jeremy Chipperfield issued a formal warning, urging the authorities to take preventive measures. He wrote to ministers, including the Secretary of State for Trade and Business and the Office for Product Safety and Standards, warning that future deaths could occur if the issue with gas piston ottoman beds was not addressed.
In his report, Chipperfield emphasized the risk posed by these beds, particularly when gas-lift mechanisms fail. He stated, “Failure of gas piston mechanisms on such beds presents a risk to life.” The coroner’s recommendation is aimed at ensuring that these types of beds undergo rigorous safety checks and that manufacturers address potential faults in their designs.
Family’s Grief and Tribute
Helen’s death has left her family, including her two children, Elizabeth and 11-year-old George, devastated. In the days following the accident, Elizabeth shared an emotional tribute to her mother on social media, expressing the depth of her grief.
“No words would ever describe how we are feeling,” Elizabeth wrote on Facebook. “I can’t even begin to process that it’s real and you’re not just going to walk through the door.” She continued, “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.
Risks of Gas Piston Ottoman Beds
The tragedy surrounding Helen Davey’s death has shone a spotlight on the potential risks associated with gas piston ottoman beds. These types of beds, which are popular for their storage features, rely on gas pistons to hold the mattress platform in place when it’s lifted. If these pistons fail, the bed can collapse suddenly, as was the case with Helen Davey.
While these beds are generally considered safe, this incident underscores the importance of regularly checking the gas-lift mechanisms for wear and tear, and ensuring that any defective parts are replaced immediately. Consumers should be aware of the potential risks and take preventive measures, such as securing the bed during use and avoiding leaning over the storage area when the mattress is raised.
