Coroner rules misadventure as cause of death after woman fell off bridge

A coroner has ruled that a woman died due to misadventure after falling from the bridge on Queen’s Park Road last summer.

Laura Jane Hickey-Fareed, 34, was found at the foot of the bridge on Queens Park Road, Heywood on 31 July 2017.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/111623/woman-dies-after-falling-from-bridge-on-queen’s-park-road

Laura, a billing agent from Heywood, had suffered multiple traumatic injuries consistent with a fall from a height, and was found by a member of the public who commenced CPR and called the emergency services. Despite best efforts, she succumbed to her injuries and died at the scene.

An inquest at Heywood Coroner’s Court heard that against a backdrop of long-standing stress, anxiety and depression, Laura was also known to regularly suffer from parasomnia, a condition which causes nightmares, night terrors or sleep-walking.

Lisa Hashmi, Area Coroner, recorded a conclusion of misadventure, saying: “Evidentially, doubt arose as to specific intent.

“It was not possible therefore to conclude, to the required legal standard, that Laura took her own life.”