91 Year Old Man Dies on Council Run Minibus

Mr Harper sustained multiple fractures and serious soft tissue injuries and haemorrhages when he fell through the gap when he was being helped off of the vehicle at his home address having just been released from a stay in hospital

According to the reports, his legs simply ‘gave way’ and staff were unable to prevent the fall. Staff say they would have used a wheelchair or not taken Mr Harper at all had they have known he was prone to collapse. But the coroner for the inquest has questioned why staff were not aware of Mr Harper’s stay in the hospital as well as the nature of the stay. Had they have known, this tragic accident could have been avoided.

There are said to be many of these types of service vehicles in operation, but changes are now going to be made. Personally I’m quite surprised that vehicles of this nature would have dangerous gaps were elderly and less-abled people are likely to fall through. These minibuses with the tail lifts are specifically designed for helping the less mobile, and a gap, as shown in this case, is clearly a danger.

The barrister representing the family has commented to say they are pleased that changes can be made to prevent a repeat of such tragedies like this in the future. We have represented victims who have been injured on public service transport buses run by council and heath authorities in the past, but we have yet to see circumstances like this.

It’s a real shame that it has taken a fatal accident to rectify what seems to be an obvious danger. The point that staff were not aware of the mobility issues of Mr Harper seems to me to be somewhat moot; if there is a risk of a fall on a vehicle that is intended to be used for the less-abled and the elderly, it doesn’t sound like it’s suitable at all.