A grandmother was tragically crushed to death when a wall collapsed on top of her while she was hanging out her washing, an inquest has heard. Clarice Berry, 77, from Wigan, was buried beneath 10ft of rubble when the gable end of her semi-detached home came crashing down on July 18, 2021.

The inquest previously heard how she had been hanging out laundry beneath the lean-to carport at her property on Old Lane, Shevington, when the bricks of the so-called 'timebomb' wall gave way and came down on top of her.

Horrified neighbours and passers-by, who described the sound as being like a 'bomb had gone off', rushed to the scene and desperately tried to pull Mrs Berry free from the debris. The married grandmother-of-six, a retired kitchen assistant, was eventually freed by firefighters and rushed to Wigan Infirmary, where she later passed away.

Coroner Briona Hartley branded the death 'senseless' and a 'tragedy' at an inquest held at Bolton Coroner's Court on Monday (June 29). She also condemned the failure of the property's landlord to carry out repairs to the brickwork, which Mrs Berry's husband Arthur said he had repeatedly raised concerns about.

The inquest was first opened in July 2021. The coroner additionally stated that any 'competent building inspector or landlord' with 'common sense' could have prevented the tragedy from occurring, reports <a href="https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/wigan-gran-crushed-death-after-34220966">the Manchester Evening News</a>.

The court was told how temperatures had soared to 32 degrees centigrade on the sunny day, and that Mr Berry had been out visiting one of their two daughters, Amanda Berry-Smith.

Upon his return home, however, he was met with a scene of utter devastation. The coroner remarked: "Tragedy is an overused word but that is what Arthur came home to that afternoon."

Mr Berry and his neighbours forced open the doors of the lean-to and desperately attempted to reach Mrs Berry, tearing away bricks with their bare hands until the emergency services arrived. The court heard how investigations conducted by Health and Safety Executive inspector George Smart, who provided evidence at the inquest, revealed a deep-rooted structural fault with the wall.

The court was also told that Mr Berry had repeatedly raised concerns about the bulging wall with landlord Mr Schlomo Klein. Ms Hartley stated: "The senseless tragedy of Clarice's death is that any competent surveyor would have identified it as just that, a timebomb.

"I find that any reasonably competent property management company and/or responsible landlord, employing common sense, would, at the very least, have ensured that the wall was monitored for any signs of progression and, by no later than 2018, would have ensured that a structural survey was performed.

"Any resistance on the part of the landlord – and I make it clear that I am not finding that there would have been any such resistance – could have been overcome by a report to the local authority's Housing Standards Team.

"The structural collapse of the gable and end wall was caused by long standing wall tie failure. The wall had been visibly bulging for many years and had been reported and recorded as requiring urgent attention."

The court was told how, despite the couple raising concerns, no structural examination or repair work was carried out. The defect continued to deteriorate, ultimately leading to the collapse that claimed Mrs Berry's life.

Ms Hartley said: "Had steps been taken to investigate the known and worsening structural defect, on the balance of probabilities, remedial action would have been taken and the collapse which caused the deceased's death would have been prevented."

Delivering a narrative conclusion, Ms Hartley said: "Clarice Berry died as a result of chest injuries sustained when the gable end wall and the upper part of the outer leaf of the end wall of her home collapsed onto her.

"In circumstances where the wall was affected by structural defects including wall tie failure of which there was no clear evidence, and where no investigation or remedial works has been carried out, which, if undertaken would have prevented the collapse."

Ms Hartley stated she believed it her duty to compile a report concerning SandG Properties Ltd and property manager KMPM. Speaking following the inquest, daughter Amanda Berry-Smith said: "On behalf of my family, we would like to thank the Coroner and the team at Bolton Coroner's Court for their care, sensitivity, and professionalism throughout the inquest.

"While nothing can bring our mum back or change what happened, we feel the conclusion is appropriate and reflects the evidence heard. This has been a devastating loss for our family, and we would not wish such trauma on anyone else.

"We welcome the intention to issue a report to prevent future deaths Regulation 28 of the coroners (investigations) regulations 2013. We hope it supports learning and helps reduce the risk of similar tragedies in the future. At this time, our focus is on remembering Clarice – a dearly loved wife and mum – and supporting one another as a family."