Questions after hotel stairs fall
AN elderly woman died from head injuries after falling down stairs at a holiday hotel in Spain. The widower ofMargaret Mur-
ray has claimed that a handrail on the 22-step marble staircase was inadequate. At an inquest into her death,
the coroner said shewould have taken up the issue if Mrs Mur- ray's accident had happened in this country. MrsMurray (85), and husband Alexander, of Sandling Lane, Pe- nenden Heath, had been in Cadiz for amonth when tragedy struck on February 7. They had dined that evening
with friends at their hotel. Mrs Murray had a glass of wine with the meal and a cocktail after- wards. ButMrMurray, a retired Army
officer, said he did not think that would have affected his wife as
she was used to having wine with dinner. As the couple walked to their
room, MrsMurray stumbled and fell about two-thirds of the way down the stairs, landing on her head. She later died in hospital. Mr Murray provided photo- graphs of the staircase to the coroner. He said they showed a wooden capping abutting the wall that “holds about two fin- gers – not a handrail”. He also said therewas an alter-
native route back to their room, outside the hotel, which they had occasionally used in day- time but not in the evening be- cause of the winter weather. Mr Murray is in dispute with
SagaHolidays about whether the handrail was adequate or if he had been told on arrival about the other way back to their room. Coroner Patricia Harding said
Nightclub memories follow death
FRIENDS of a young dad who died of cancer organised a fundraising event in his memory. Darren Burley (28), a former pupil of Brunswick House pri-
mary andMaplesden Noakes secondary schools, lived offWill- ington Street before being admitted to the Heart of Kent Hospice, Aylesford. Friend Nathan Jarrett, who organised a fundraising drum ’n’
bass night at a Maidstone nightclub shortly after Darren was diagnosed with cancer in April, planned a similar event the week after he died last month. Darren leaves his partner Shel- ley and an eight-year-old daughter, his mum Sharon and sis- ter Louise.
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she could not rule on liability is- sues but told him: “I'm saddened that, had you been in the UK when Mrs Murray had the acci- dent,Iwouldhavebeenableto report, under Rule 43, measures to prevent further fatalities. "Had this been a death in this country I would havemade such a report." She added that it appeared im- possible to take hold of both sides of the handrail and itwas a “matter of semantics” if it could be termed a handrail. .
Tree halts building
A PROPOSAL to build a three- bedroom chalet bungalow in the grounds of a home in Rose- leigh Avenue, Allington, was refused.
Maidstone Council felt Ramon Broad’s outline applica- tion would have a harmful im- pact on a protected oak tree.
London Road homes
HILLREED Homes was given outline planning permission to erect a pair of three-bedroom semi-detached houses at 72a London Road, Maidstone.
Tulloch’s golden touch at Olympic festival
COURTNEY Tulloch, of Thurnham-based Pegasus Gymnastics Club, carried the British flag at the closing ceremony of the Euro- pean Youth Olympic Festival in Turkey, after claiming two gold medals. The 15-year-old won
gold in the all-round and rings categories at the EYOF. His achieve- ments helped Team GB take second place, be- hind Russia.
Man banned and fined for failure to stop PARAMDIP Singh (29), of Roseholme, Fant, pleaded guilty of drink-driving and failing to stop or report an accident. On June 12, Singh drove along London Road, Maidstone, with 161mg of alcohol in 100 ml of urine. The legal limit is 107mg. Singh also damaged a lamppost and two road signs and failed to stop or report the incident. Magistrates disqualified Singh from driving for 18 months and fined him £350, plus £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
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