My daughter, Hannah died on 4th February 2016. Hannah’s family have had three Pre Inquest Hearings and yet we still wait for the final Inquest date. 

My solicitor told me that if our family wish to take proceedings against the companies that have failed in their responsibilities for safe work practices, a submission is required within three years of Hannah’s death, Monday 4th February 2019. 

We are making submissions to hold the companies to account for Hannah's death but we need your help with the legal costs. Please contribute what you can now and share this page with your friends, family and on social media.

I believe this case is in the public interest on many levels but protecting the public properly from your own private land and failure to give a reasonable duty of care within the workplace is my top priority.

The Case

Hannah was reported missing to the Met Police on 3rd February 2016. She was 28 years old, held a responsible job and lived with a flatmate in London. 

Hannah failed to attend work and an important meeting which caused her boyfriend (who happens to work for the same company) and flatmate great concern, so they went to the flat at 12 noon in search of my daughter. Hannah’s car was gone.  Her mobile phone was left on her bed.  Hannah’s boyfriend and flatmate then returned to work.  Seven hours later the flatmate reported her disappearance to the Police. I was not informed of Hannah’s disappearance until 9:45pm, when Hannah’s boyfriend rang me. 

The Police were told that Hannah’s disappearance was out of character, she had never done this before and  that Hannah was possibly having a mental breakdown. The Police set the risk assessment at Medium Risk.

Hannah’s car details were put on the ANPR system. The police were also informed that Hannah had a Black Box Tracker in the car, provided by her insurance company. 

The car ‘pinged’ on the ANPR system multiple times and at 11pm a conversation took place between police departments across several regions regarding conducting a welfare check on Hannah. This never happened. The car was never stopped and the family were not informed about the developments at any stage by the police. 

Hannah had already been driving for more than 12 hours. 

At 3:30 am on 4th February (driving for 16+ hours) we believe that Hannah was turning off at a roundabout which was signposted as Hollywood Park, a rest area. She took the wrong turning and ended up driving into a dock at Port Talbot Wales. The water is 30 feet deep and would have been freezing. 

Hannah managed to escape from the car with a head injury. She swam and scrambled up the only escape point, finding herself in a fenced area. Confusion and hypothermia led Hannah to somehow fall into the water again. 

12 hours later, at 3pm on the day of her death, I was contacted by the boyfriend to inform me of her passing. At 5pm I was visited by a police officer, the first contact I had with the Police,  who told me they believed it was suicide.   I strongly believe it was an accident.   

Hannah was not the first person to die on this land. Gates had been installed along the road but they were all left open and, in some cases, tied back. 

Later that day I found out that Hannah had been raped almost a year before by a work colleague and a relation of the boyfriend. It was coming up to the year anniversary of the rape. I believe that Hannah was suffering from Rape Trauma Syndrome, PTSD and her place of work knew of the alleged rape and the implications this had on Hannah’s mental health. 

What are we trying to achieve?

The correct outcome at the Inquest to highlight the failings of various parties involved.

The Coroner advised me at the first Pre-Inquest Hearing to instruct a Solicitor and Barrister because it is impossible to represent yourself against corporate teams of lawyers that have a vested interest to quash suggestions of poor safety and lack of duty of care/corporate social responsibility. 

So far I have funded the lengthy inquest process myself but I could do with some help. 

I wish to expose the failings with these companies in order to seek justice for Hannah and enact meaningful change for others including Rape victims.

What is the next step in the case?

Submissions will be served on parties (usually the Inquest would be finalised before this, but not in this case).  This will involve Court appearances and preparation of the cases.

The Inquest is expected to take 4 days but as yet we do not know when.

What happens to your donations?

The minimum target has to be reached before any of the money is made available.

The money raised goes solely on Legal Fees.

Can I help in any other way?

Yes you can.  Please share this campaign with everyone you know via social media or any other means.

Thank you so much for reading this.  We will keep you updated regularly.