The County Durham mother died when a “defective” bed fell and trapped her

A woman died after a “defective” Ottoman-style bed fell and trapped her, a coroner said.

Helen Davey, 39, was leaning over the storage area when the mattress platform “unexpectedly” fell down at her home in Seaham, County Durham, in June.

Durham and Darlington senior coroner Jeremy Chipperfield said one of the bed's two gas lift pistons was “defective” and called on the government to take action to prevent future deaths.

The Ministry of Economy and Trade was contacted for comment.

The inquest took place on October 4th. concluded that Ms. Davey's death was an accident.

A coroner's report shows her neck was caught on the top of the side wall of the bed frame on June 7.

Ms Davey, who was born in Hartlepool, was unable to free herself and died of “positional asphyxia”, the report added.

In a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) report, the coroner said The presence and use of gas piston bed mechanisms that fail “pose danger to life”.

He said that as the investigation progressed, the evidence “revealed matters of concern.”

“In my opinion, there is a risk that deaths could occur in the future if no action is taken,” he said in a report.

“In these circumstances, it is my legal duty to report to you.”

Mr Chipperfield has written to the Business Secretary and the Office of Product Safety and Standards.

The Ministry of Economy and Trade must respond by December 2nd unless the deadline is extended.

It must contain a timetable for the “actions taken or proposed”.

Ms Davey's family have asked for privacy as they grieve.