Shrewsbury woman’s death partly due to being tipped from wheelchair going down kerb
A Shrewsbury woman being taken to a community minibus was accidentally tipped out of her wheelchair going down a kerb, hitting her head, an inquest has been told.
Julie Davies, 64, from Wingfield Close, Ditherington, was taken to hospital but her condition deteriorated and she died three months later.
Yesterday the inquest at the Shirehall, was told that volunteer minibus driver, who had been handling the wheelchair, had 24 years experience.
He had undergone a refresher course in wheelchair handling and that changes had since been made to Shrewsbury Dial-a-Ride’s systems, making the wearing of lapstraps in wheelchairs compulsory.
The accident happened in September last year.
Speaking after the inquest Mrs Davies’ daughter, Tarnia paid tribute to her mother, who had had serious medical problems.
Positive
She said she was glad that lessons had been learned.
“Mum was a very positive lady, despite her problems and never complained. She was well known in the area,” she said.
The senior coroner for Shropshire and Telford, Mr John Ellery, said that Mrs Davies had died from natural causes, contributed to by the tipping from the wheelchair.
He heard that Mrs Davies, who had diabetes and was a triple amputee, used the Shrewsbury Dial-a-Ride service.
On September 17 last year, volunteer driver, Mr Christopher Fryer, arrived to transport Mrs Davies.
In his statement Mr Fryer said he deeply regretted the incident and had been devastated to learn about Mrs Davies’ death.
