William Erskine

I am Chris Morris, Area Coroner for Manchester South.

On 13 th September 2023, Alison Mutch OBE, Senior Coroner for Manchester South, opened an inquest into the death of William Erskine who died on 26 th August 2023 on the Concourse of Stretford House, Chapel Lane, Stretford. The investigation concluded with an inquest which I heard on 22 nd March 2024. A post-mortem examination conducted by [REDACTED], Consultant Pathologist on the Home Office Register, concluded that Mr Erskine died as a consequence of multiple injuries. At the end of the inquest, I recorded a conclusion of Misadventure.

Mr Erskine died on 26 th August 2023 on the concourse of Stretford House, Stretford, as a result of multiple injuries sustained when he fell or jumped from the open window of his 16 th floor flat whilst his judgement was impaired through cocaine and alcohol use and following a recent violent altercation with his partner. A police investigation has concluded there was no third party involvement in his death.

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. Mr Erskine was a resident of Stretford House, Chapel Lane, Stretford, M32 9AZ. Stretford House is a 23 floor residential block, comprising of 134 dwellings. The freehold owner of Stretford House is London and Quadrant Housing Trust, a Registered Provider of Social Housing. In the course of the evidence before the court, it was established that, whilst the windows in Mr Erskine’s flat were fitted with locks and dual-position window restrictors, the relevant restrictors can be released enabling the window to fully rotate within the frame (nominally to enable the resident to clean the glass). The degree to which the windows can be opened is therefore not restricted in the same way as if fixed window restrictors were fitted. It is a matter of concern that, aside from certain buildings designed for educational or healthcare use, or provided for vulnerable adults, current Building Regulations do not require fixed window restrictors to be fitted to opening windows in high-rise residential buildings; and In relation to windows of the type and design in use in Stretford House, there is no current requirement to retro-fit fixed window restrictors.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and your organisation have the power to take such action.