Coroner warns of ski lift danger following schoolboy’s death
A coroner is to write a report highlighting the dangers posed by ski lifts following the death of a British school boy.
Fourteen-year-old Keiran Brookes from Devon was on a school trip to France in February 2011 when his rucksack became entangled on a ski lift and the straps caught around his neck.
An Exeter inquest heard this week that the boy was suspended in mid-air for four minutes as he fought to free himself.
The coroner concluded the boy’s death was an ‘unlawful killing’.
Pathologist Amanda Jeffery told the inquest it was unclear whether Kieran was carrying or wearing the rucksack when the incident happened in the French resort of Chatel, which is in the Portes du Soleil ski area.
The lift is thought to have continued around 180 degrees as the boy struggled to free himself, and it is claimed there was a 30-second delay in stopping it.
The lift supervisor, 50-year-old Richard Cettour, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and handed a six month suspended prison sentence in 2015.
Lift operator Sports et Tourism a Chatel, was cleared of the same charge.
John Tomalin, deputy coroner for Exeter and Greater Devon said he would be writing a report to highlight the dangers posed by ski lifts.
"Kieran Brookes died as a result of unlawful killing because appropriate mechanisms were not in place to halt the ski lift in time," he said.
"There were inadequate and inconsistent warning signs about the dangers of wearing backpacks on chair lifts.
"My report should deal with the usage of backpacks; concerns about the warning signs near ski lifts; advice and guidance on when to wear backpacks and the risk of loose straps."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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