A tragic incident unfolded when a grandmother lost her life under a collapsing wall while hanging laundry at her home in Wigan. Clarice Berry, 77, was buried under rubble as the gable end of her house crumbled on July 18, 2021. Shocked witnesses described the scene as resembling an explosion, prompting immediate rescue efforts by neighbors and passersby.
Despite desperate attempts to save her, Mrs. Berry succumbed to her injuries at Wigan Infirmary shortly after being freed by firefighters. At the subsequent inquest, Coroner Briona Hartley condemned the property landlord for neglecting to address the deteriorating brickwork, a concern repeatedly raised by Clarice’s husband, Arthur.
The court learned that a structural issue in the wall, identified by inspector George Smart, was a contributing factor to the fatal collapse. The inquest revealed that the landlord had been informed of the wall’s instability but failed to take necessary action. Ms. Hartley emphasized that proper oversight and maintenance could have prevented the tragedy.
The investigation also debunked any connection between the house’s faulty boiler and the wall’s collapse. Ms. Hartley concluded that Clarice Berry’s death resulted from chest injuries sustained during the wall’s failure, emphasizing the lack of action taken despite known structural deficiencies.
Following the inquest, Amanda Berry-Smith, Clarice’s daughter, expressed gratitude for the court’s handling of the case and hoped that lessons learned would prevent similar incidents in the future. The family mourned the loss of their beloved matriarch and emphasized the importance of supporting one another through the grieving process.