Felixstowe family backs safety changes after mobility scooter death

John Gray, pictured with family members, died from injuries after his mobility scooter drove off a seaside promenade

The daughter of a man who died after his mobility scooter drove off a beach promenade while he was asleep has backed calls for safety measures.

John Gray, 76, fell several feet from the promenade at Felixstowe, where there was no barrier, on 9 July 2022, and died four days later.

Suffolk Coroner Nigel Parsley raised concerns in a prevention of future deaths report.

Maxine White said she agreed some changes could be implemented.

East Suffolk Council previously said it would consider the coroner's report and that it continually assessed risk levels.

The edge of the promenade to the sand where Mr Gray fell was about 5ft (1.5m).

He suffered multiple rib fractures leading to respiratory failure and died in Ipswich Hospital.

A coroner said he feared "future loss of life" may happen

Expert evidence during the inquest suggested falling asleep on mobility scooters "happened more frequently than the general public might think", often leading to accidents.

Ms White, 43, said she did not blame anyone for the incident

"It's just an accident no-one thinks about until it happens," she said.

'Could happen to anyone'

She said her father regularly headed to the promenade after moving back to the area in December 2021.

"He'd only been there six months when this happened, he had just got settled and was where he wanted to be," she said.

"Many times he went to the seafront, just to look at the scenery because it's nice, and that's what we're assuming happened."

Mr Gray was fully conscious when ambulance crews arrived and Ms White said he could not remember the accident, leading them to believe he had fallen asleep.

She said: "It's no-one's fault, I just really hope that something like that never happens again.

"There are a lot of people who use mobility scooters. If it could happen to my dad, it could happen to anyone.

"What if it had been a mum with a toddler and a pram and the pram moved? You can't grab everything but maybe a small wall or rubber barrier there would prevent it.

"It wouldn't change the enjoyment of the beach or how beautiful the seafront is."

She said barriers would only be needed in places with large drops, like where her father fell, and would also protect those on the beach.

"I'm so thankful there were no children playing on the beach at that point," she said.

"If he'd fallen on a small child, it's horrendous what could have happened."

East Suffolk Council previously said it was continuing to identify further safety measures.