University of East Anglia student misused gym equipment
A student who died in a university gym had not been using the equipment properly, an inquest has heard. Mohammed Farraj, 21, sustained a traumatic head injury at the University of East Anglia's (UEA) Sportspark in Norwich on 16 October. An inquest at Norfolk Coroner's Court heard how he had been standing on a plastic block used for step aerobics and using a weight-training machine when it tipped over, causing him to fall. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found there had been no criminal health and safety failings.
The inquest in Norwich heard Mr Farraj, a medical student, had been using a device called a Smith machine, which consists of a barbell fixed within steel rails, used for a variety of exercises.CCTV footage was shown of the block tipping forward, causing him to fall.It showed him becoming trapped with his neck beneath the bar, which weighed 65kg (143lb). In a statement, a senior fitness adviser said safety blocks that would have prevented the weight from falling to the ground were set to the lowest level and did not stop the bar until it had almost reached the floor. Det Sgt Robert Waring, of Norfolk Police, said there had been "no third-party involvement" and that the equipment was not faulty. He described the incident as "tragic" and said incorrect use of the step block meant the accident was avoidable. The inquest heard how two gym users said they heard a "loud bang". Dr Damian Laba, an an anaesthetist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said he saw Mr Farraj "falling on the ground" and realised the incident was a "potentially-life threatening injury".He said he asked Sportspark reception staff for an ambulance and resuscitation equipment. When an inquest into Mr Farraj's death was opened in October, it heard how emergency services were called to the scene.However, the student was declared dead by the medical team.
Mr Farraj, born in Stoke-on-Trent, was described in a tribute by the UEA's Norwich Medical School as having the potential to be a "great doctor". His father described him as being "the light and greatest hope" and thanked Dr Laba for "trying to help save my son". Mr Farraj was a regular gym user and a keen runner who had been in training for an Ironman competition. The HSE previously said: "We thoroughly investigated this incident and, after careful consideration, decided against any further action."We will review our decision if new evidence is presented throughout the inquest and will continue to assist the coroner."
Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Older motorists urged 'put 1 gadget in vehicle' to keep driving
Drivers who don't have this tool in their car tend to drive less often, says new research Older drivers could keep hold their driving licence for longer if they fit one gadget in their cars, says new research. Those over 65 years old who are still getting behind the wheel could benefit from the technology which could allow mature motorists to 'maintain their driving independence' for longer. Installing a satellite navigation GPS device in their cars could be a benefit, according to a new study from the University of East Anglia. Researchers found that drivers in that age category with Sat Nav systems in their cars 'tend to drive more frequently'. Those that don't use them didn't drive as often and effectively forced themselves off the road. Sat Nav systems are a common feature of newer cars but they can be installed separately. Professor Hornberger, spokesperson for UEA's Norwich Medical School, said the GPS systems can help older road users with their sense of direction. He said: 'We found that a considerable majority of older drivers use navigation assistance at least for some journeys, and commonly for the entire journey to a new destination. 'Older people with a poorer sense of direction rely more on Sat Navs. 'But the really important thing we found is that those who use GPS tend to drive more frequently than those who do not, suggesting that these tools help mitigate against spatial orientation difficulties and help maintain driving mobility. 'This means that if we support older drivers with using GPS navigation, it could really help maintain their driving independence, keeping them on the roads safely for longer,' reports the Express. The study saw experts question 895 UK drivers aged over 65, with the average age of participants aged 71. The participants self-reported how often and far they tend to drive, how their sense of direction was and how they tend to use GPS tools while behind the wheel. Modern Sat Navs have a voice which walks through directions and can also provide speed alerts and traffic updates. That means it helps elderly individuals to focus on their driving without having to worry about anything else. Professor Hornberger added: 'Driving is usually the preferred mode of transport among older adults, and it can be vital for maintaining independence, quality of life, wellbeing, and cognitive health as we age. 'But age-related cognitive decline means that people might experience worsening spatial abilities, leading them to drive less and less.' There have been calls for older drivers to face medical tests over the age of 70. Eyesight tests and cognitive testing is not mandatory for drivers of this age. Instead they have to declare themselves medically fit to drive. And last week Prime Minister Keir Starmer was urged to introduce stricter eyesight testing rules for all drivers. The Association of Optometrists (AOP) had previously claimed the current rules around road vision checks are 'out of step' and were in need of a review. Dr Peter Hampson, Optometrist and Clinical and Policy Director at the AOP, said they had been calling for tougher vision checks on UK roads. After similar remarks from the Older Drivers Forum and a leading coroner, Sir Keir Starmer and the Government are being urged to react and change the rules.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Plans for HSE primary care centre delayed over residents' concerns it wlll house methadone clinic
Plans for a new primary care centre in part of the former Baggot Street Hospital in Dublin have been placed on hold following an appeal by both the HSE and objection from local residents who fear the facility may include a methadone clinic. Several appeals have been lodged with An Bord Pleanála against the recent decision of Dublin City Council to grant planning permission for the proposed new medical centre to be located at the rear of the main hospital building on Baggot Street Upper. Advertisement The HSE is hoping to develop the new primary care centre including a pharmacy in vacant buildings which form part of the former Baggot Street Hospital site at the junction of Haddington Road and Eastmoreland Lane. The red-bricked building known formally as the Royal City of Dublin Hospital, has been closed as a hospital since 1987. The new facility to be known as The Haddington Road Primary Care Centre will incorporate an existing three-storey Victorian building and a newly constructed building up to six storeys in height. The plans also provide for the demolition of some buildings dating from the 1950s which were used by the HSE to provide community health services including a drug treatment clinic up to 2019. Advertisement However, the HSE has separately appealed a condition imposed by Dublin City Council as part of the grant of planning permission to omit one floor of the proposed development because of the local authority's serious concerns about the height of the development. The HSE claim the requirement to omit one of the six storeys would have minimal impact on the overshadowing of neighbouring properties but would make the development of the primary care centre 'unfeasible". It is also appealing a requirement to submit a maintenance and works programme for the main hospital building. In its appeal, the HSE said it believed the conditions were unjustified and would have a severe negative impact on the efficient operation of and delivery of services at the proposed primary care centre. Advertisement The HSE said it had already reduced the ceiling height of each floor which had reduced the building's overall height by 1.85 metres to 23.1 metres. The council's ruling is also being appealed by several local residents and business owners including the Pembroke Road Association. Although the residents' group recognised the need for a new primary care centre in the area, it criticised its proposed height which it said would be 'disruptive' and 'entirely excessive". Together with other individual appellants, the Pembroke Road Association also expressed concern that a methadone clinic is being considered as part of the new facility. Advertisement The group claims the layout of the proposed centre with an entirely separate pharmacy 'would indicate a methadone dispensing service". However, Dublin City Council said any issue of the medical centre being used for dispensing methadone was under the remit of the HSE's operational governance and healthcare regulations rather than planning control. Planning files submitted by the HSE make no reference to any type of drug treatment clinic being proposed. The HSE said it had identified a need to provide a new primary care centre in a modern purpose-built building to serve the healthcare needs of the local community in the Baggot Street and Sandymount areas. Advertisement The new facility will provide a range of services including public health nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, speech and language therapy, dietetics as well as a pharmacy. Separately council planners expressed concern about the lack of any future plans for development of the former hospital building, which it described as 'a sensitive protected structure' and asked the HSE to re-examine its potential reuse. However, the HSE said a report into the potential use of the building for use for healthcare purposes, which was carried out in October 2022, had concluded that it would 'present a number of serious challenges in terms of structure, fire safety, access, services, conservation, cost and time". The HSE claimed the proposed development would not involve any works that would affect the special character of the protected structure or result in the removal of significant original fabric or features of interest. The HSE's chief executive, Bernard Gloster, informed the Department of Health last year that the former hospital is surplus to its needs as it is no longer deemed suitable for delivering public healthcare services. Last month, the HSE indicated the building is to be sold on the open market as no State agency wanted to use the premises whose condition has deteriorated over the years. However, the HSE said the absence of a confirmed use for the buildings should not hinder the development of the proposed primary care centre. Council planners said a masterplan for the entire site would have been better 'in terms of a meaningfully developed site rather than the current proposal". 'The redevelopment of part of this site without consideration of this structure is worrying and is not considered planning best practice,' they added. The council said it has included 'robust conditions' to the grant of planning permission as the response of the HSE to a wide range of concerns raised over the plans was 'disappointing.' 'Minimal alterations were made which did not address these concerns,' it observed. The council acknowledged that they might affect the functionality of the new facility but said it had to ensure the amenity of adjoining structures and the future development potential of adjoining sites was protected. It also expressed disappointment with the delay by the HSE in disposing of the main hospital as it had a detrimental impact on the fabric of the building that was being protected. A ruling by An Bord Pleanála on the various appeals is due by early October.
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Over 12,000 children waiting for first contact from disability teams
Over 12,000 children are waiting for their first contact with Child Disability Network Team (CDNT). Figures from the HSE, seen by Breakingnews, show that at the end of April, 12,106 children were waiting for their first contact from a CDNT. Advertisement Of that figure, 8298 children are waiting over a year for first contact. Of the six Regional Healthcare Areas (RHAs), HSE Dublin and North East have the longest waiting list, with 3841 children waiting for first contact, with 2980 waiting over 12 months for contact from a CDNT. 1506 children are waiting between seven to 12 months to hear from a CDNT. In Dublin Midlands, there is 3035 children waiting for first contact, with 2116 children waiting over a year. Advertisement The HSE Dublin and South East region has 2707 children waiting for first contact, with 2112 waiting over 12 months for first contact. This area covers South-East Dublin, Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and most areas of Wicklow. In the HSE Midwest, which provides care to Clare, Limerick, and North Tipperary, 1070 children is waiting for first contact, with 530 waiting over a year. The HSE West and North West, which covers Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, West Cavan, Mayo, Galway and Roscommon, has 819 children on the waiting list, with 290 waiting over a year. Advertisement In the HSE South West, covering Cork and Kerry, 634 children is waiting for first contact, with 270 waiting over a year. There are 93 CDNTs, aligned to 96 Community Healthcare Networks across the country, providing services and supports for children aged from birth to 18 years of age. The CDNTs are currently providing services and supports for 43,000 children and strategies and supports for urgent cases on the waitlist where staffing resources allow. The HSE have said CDNTs face significant challenges, including staffing vacancies, growth in the numbers of children with complex needs as a result of their disability, and growth in demand for Assessment of Need, diverting further resources away from interventions. 1,233 children and/or their parents who are on the CDNT waiting list participated in one or more individual and/or group intervention appointments during April 2025.
