Woman killed by falling bricks in storm - inquest

A grandmother died after she was struck by falling bricks during stormy weather, an inquest heard.

Rochelle Crane, 49, suffered brain and spinal injuries when the bricks fell on top of her during Storm Eunice in Southend-on-Sea in February 2022.

Jurors at Essex Coroner's Court were told how paramedics had to drag her to safety after they were also hit by bricks.

Ms Crane – who died in hospital two months later – was described by her daughter in a statement as "my best friend and biggest support".

Juror were told the brickwork fell from a height of about 10ft (3m) from a block of flats in Southchurch Road, which were located above a restaurant.

The inquest heard written evidence from Colin Moy, a paramedic from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, who attended the scene along with a colleague and an apprentice.

Mr Moy said the incident on 18 February occurred "during a red weather warning" for Storm Eunice, "with high winds felt and observed through the morning".

When Mr Moy arrived, he saw Ms Crane on the pavement "surrounded by bricks, mortar and glass".

He said both he and the apprentice were struck on their helmets by the falling debris.

Mr Moy described there being "imminent danger", and that there was "a high risk" that the building, or parts of it, were unstable, so he decided to "drag [Ms Crane] out of the way".

She was taken to Southend Hospital before being transferred to the Royal London Hospital.

Ms Crane suffered multiple injuries including a hypoxic brain injury, fractures to her spine and ribs, and she eventually died on 22 April that year.

The jury were played CCTV footage which showed the moment the brickwork fell on top of Ms Crane, prompting an audible reaction of shock within the room.

Meanwhile, Richard Rajham, an inspector for the Health and Safety Executive, explained that the brickwork was from a "brick slip", described as thin slices of brick which give the impression of a brick wall.

In a statement read out by area coroner Sonia Hayes, Ms Crane's daughter Louise said her mother's sudden death had impacted her "profoundly".

Ms Crane, who lived in Southend, had been shopping, and Louise said her mother had "dismissed" the danger of the high winds when they spoke on the phone earlier that day.

She had moved to the UK from Zimbabwe with her father when she was 14 years old, leaving her mother and siblings behind, but had "always stayed in touch" with her family, her daughter said.

"My grief is compounded by the ongoing inquiries," Ms Crane said in her statement, adding that she felt "alone in the world".

The inquest is due to last three weeks.

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