A Suffolk coroner has called on East Suffolk Council to take action after a mobility scooter user died after he fell asleep and drove off Felixstowe promenade.

A corners court heard John Gray suffered multiple rib fractures after his mobility scooter drove off the prom at Felixstowe beach in Suffolk, with a drop of "several feet" onto the sand below.

This led to respiratory failure and his death at Ipswich Hospital on July 13 2022, four days after he was admitted on July 9.

Suffolk's senior coroner Nigel Parsley has written to East Suffolk Council, with his concerns that there could be similar falls in future without a barrier or warning signs in place.

Mr Parsley said evidence was heard at the inquest that the "height of drop from the edge of the promenade to the sand at the location John fell, whilst on his mobility scooter, was approximately five feet". The court was told that, at a number of locations, the height from the edge of the promenade to the sand was prone to change, and a system was in place to monitor this," he said.

"It was however, acknowledged, that unusual high tide conditions, and/or weather activity could significantly change the drop height in a short period of time. Evidence heard that at high-risk locations, such as areas with persistent long drops, drops onto concrete, or drops onto rock sea defences, permanent barriers were installed."

In other areas, signage or painted markings were used to highlight the risk of a fall.

Other testimony stated that there was expected to be an increase in mobility scooters using Felixstowe promenade, while a mobility scooter supplier and engineer said users falling asleep was 'not uncommon' and led to accidents causing damage.

"Due to the demographics of the local area it was acknowledged that the use of mobility scooters on the promenade may increase in the future. Evidence was also heard from a mobility scooter supplier and engineer, who explained that falling asleep on a mobility scooter was not uncommon, and happened more frequently than the general public might think.

"The supplier explained that this often led to accidents, leading to damage to the mobility scooters, which required repair. I am therefore concerned that falls from the promenade onto the beach, in areas where there is no barrier, would occur again in similar circumstances, as the current signage and markings provide no warning to an individual asleep on their mobility scooter.

"If this were to occur (as in this case) in an area where the height of drop from the edge of the promenade to the sand was greater than normally expected, I am concerned this would lead to future loss of life."