Inquest hears of tragic death

Coroner John Lecky read a statement in court from Deputy State Pathologist, Dr Alastair Bentley, which stated that Gertrude Cunningham of Oughtagh Road, Londonderry died as a result of asphyxia on April 21, 2009.

The statement also said that Mrs Cunningham was found with the upper part of her body inside her car at the driver's side and the lower part outside the vehicle.

The woman had leaned inside the car in order to try and apply the handbrake after her Peugeot 406 began to roll towards a wall. However, her attempt failed and she was trapped between the door and the wall.

Joseph Cunningham, Gertrude's husband, told the court he had left his wife at home around 11am that morning to visit his niece. He said his wife had told him she was going to visit someone, who she attended in her capacity as a home help, later that morning.

Mr Cunningham said he thought it was strange when he returned home at lunchtime and saw his wife's car still outside their home. He also said he noticed how close it was to the wall. Mr Cunningham said on leaning inside the car he saw his wife and asked her what was wrong. It then became clear that Mrs Cunningham had died.

A forensic examiner at the scene of the accident told the court that in his opinion the car's engine was on and the gear was in neutral when the accident took place.

He added that because of the slight incline of the laneway and because she was outside the car when she tried to put on the hand brake, she had failed.

Instead, Mrs Cunningham was trapped by the door when it impacted with the garden wall, crushing her to death.

Coroner Lecky expressed his sympathy to Mr Cunningham.