Coroner Warns of Ottoman Bed Risks After Tragic Death

A British mother died from asphyxiation when a defective gas-lift bed mechanism trapped her neck, prompting calls for safety reviews.

Helen Davey, a 39-year-old mother of two, died in June after a malfunctioning ottoman bed collapsed on her neck, causing positional asphyxia.
The incident occurred in Seaham, County Durham, and was discovered by her 19-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, who attempted to rescue her mother.
A coroner's report identified a defective gas-lift piston as the cause of the bed's unexpected collapse, ruling the death accidental.
Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield has urged UK authorities to address the potential dangers of gas-lift beds to prevent future incidents.
The UK Department for Business and Trade has until December 2 to respond to the coroner's recommendations for safety measures.