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Shop worker dies after staircase fall. |
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A shop worker who died after falling down a staircase in a department store would not have fallen if the stairs had been properly lit, a court has ruled. Marie O’Neil, aged 38, fell down a flight of stairs used by staff only while working at the Debenhams store in Argyle Street in Glasgow, in February 2008. Miss O’Neil tripped on the staircase and hit her head on a concrete floor as she was taking rubbish out. Emergency services were called by a colleague and she was rushed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where she later died from her serious head injuries. A fatal accident inquiry was launched by the local authority’s health and safety department and Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that the staircase had insufficient lighting. A switch was at the bottom and top of the stairwell to control the lights and at the time of Miss O’Neil’s accident the lights were switched off. Miss O’Neil’s family have criticised Debenhams for failing to provide adequate lighting. Sheriff Craig Scott, ruling in court said: “In my opinion, it is more probable than not that the accident resulting in her death was caused due to the presence of darkness at some point during her descent. There was evidence to the effect that when the lighting wasn’t illuminated, the stairwell was pitch dark. Accordingly, I find that the accident might have been avoided had the stairway been permanently illuminated.” Miss O’Neil’s sister Linda said: “We are really angry that Debenhams kept every other part of the store permanently lit, but not the loading bay because it was only used by staff and not the customers. We are all devastated by Marie’s death, particularly our Mum who is struggling to come to terms with it. Marie had worked at Debenhams and Lewis’s for 22 years. She knew everyone from the general manager to the store room staff, and everyone loved her because she was such lovely person, always laughing and full of fun. We will miss her very much.” A spokesman for Debenhams said the retail company was deeply sadden by the death of Miss O’Neil and that they had changed the stairwells lighting so that it is permanently illuminated. Published: 22/07/2009.   Newer news items:
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