An undertaker died after being crushed in a “tragic accident” at the funeral parlour where she worked. Sally Blundell, 58, died from “contusion and compression of the chest by an external object” while working at an East of England Co-op Funeral Services branch in Swaffham, Norfolk.
The equipment is reported to have involved a hoist used to lift things and the branch closed for several days after what happened.
Pathologist Laszlo Igali confirmed Mrs Blundell’s cause of death as “contusion and compression of the chest by an external object” at an inquest opening on Thursday (January 4), the Mirror reports.
Colleagues at East of England Co-op have paid tribute to the funeral administrator whose career with the employer spanned almost a decade.
A spokesman for East of England Co-op said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of our colleague and friend Sally Blundell.
“Sally worked for our Co-op for over eight years and her care and experience will be truly missed by those in and around Swaffham, as well as her colleagues.
“First and foremost in our mind are Sally’s family and friends – we offer them our deepest condolences.”
Senior coroner for Norfolk Jacqueline Lake read details about Mrs Blundell provided by her daughter, Lucy Blundell, at the short inquest hearing at County Hall.
The inquest heard Mrs Blundell was born in Norwich and had lived in The Street, Great Cressingham, near the town of Watton.
Mrs Lake adjourned the inquest until a further hearing due to be held on April 5.
Breckland Council has launched an investigation into Mrs Blundell’s death, which the Co-op has described as a “tragic accident”.
Norfolk Police confirmed Mrs Blundell died after “an industrial incident” in Swaffham.
A spokesperson for the force said the emergency services, including the air ambulance, were called to a business in Market Place shortly after midday on December 1.
They added: “Sadly the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers are working with the local authority to establish the circumstances that lead (sic) to the woman’s death.”
