A tragic incident occurred at a funeral parlor where a woman lost her life after being crushed by a lift meant for moving deceased individuals. Sally Blundell, aged 58, was declared deceased at the East of England Co-op Funeral Services branch in Swaffham, Norfolk, on December 1. During the inquest into her passing at Norfolk Coroner’s Court, it was revealed that Sally, the funeral administrator, was preparing for a family viewing but became trapped in the hydraulic pump lift.
Stephen Kemp, an employee at the Dereham branch, alerted the emergency services after discovering the situation. The police were informed, and Police Constable Luke Heffer responded by entering the chapel of rest at the funeral home. He described finding Sally trapped in the scissor lift with her upper body caught within the framework.
The coroner, Yvonne Blake, confirmed the cause of death as “contusion and compression of the chest by an external object.” Dawn Salisbury, a visitor to the home, raised concerns when no staff were present for her scheduled 11 am appointment. She tried contacting the branch with no success, leading her to reach out to the celebrant she had been in touch with.
Mr. Kemp, the funeral manager, attempted to access CCTV footage from the Swaffham branch and noticed only two women in the reception area for the 11 am appointment. Ms. Blundell’s absence was noted, and upon visiting the branch, Mr. Kemp found her lifeless body under the hydraulic hoist.
Lucy Blundell, Sally’s daughter, mentioned her mother’s concerns about working alone. She highlighted Sally’s positive relationships with colleagues and friends. CCTV footage showed Sally leaving the branch at 9:46 am on the day of the incident, moments before her tragic fate.
Following the incident, a Co-op spokesperson expressed deep sorrow over the accident and extended condolences to Sally’s family and friends. The inquest, which is ongoing with a jury, continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate event.
