An undertaker was crushed to death by a faulty coffin lifter after it 'descended unexpectedly' onto her, an inquest concluded. The medical cause of death for Mrs Blundell, of Great Cressingham, was recorded as 'contusion and compression of the chest by an external object'. In an expert report, Dr Eleanor Jay said Mrs Blundell may have let go of the handle on the device to reach something under the table. The 200kg hydraulic scissor lift mortuary trolley, manufactured in 2008, was sent to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for examination. Norfolk area coroner Yvonne Blake told jurors that expert evidence indicated a fault was found with the hydraulic scissor lift mortuary trolley after Mrs Blundell’s death.

Source: Daily Mail March 26, 2026 21:47 UTC