Inquest hears how former firefighter from Dewsbury died after his head smashed through a glass door following a fall at club

Stephen Preston, a former firefighter who was a long-serving secretary and trustee of Earlsheaton Conservative Club, died after a fall on the club premises on May 6, 2022.

An inquest heard that on that afternoon he had been at the club and although he had been drinking he was not drunk.

While walking down stairs with the aid of a stick he fell, hitting his head on the glass double doors at the bottom of the staircase.

The glass smashed, and his head became lodged between the broken glass.

Paramedics arrived very quickly at the scene but he was certified as dead.

Expert witnesses told Martin Fleming, the coroner for West Yorkshire (Western), that not only was it not safety glass but the doors, which were installed in the early 1990s, did not comply with the relevant Health and Safety legislation because they were too close to the bottom step.

During the inquest, club representatives said they had taken immediate steps to remedy the situation and would notify the coroner when the work has been done.

Mr Fleming recorded a conclusion of accidental death, the cause of death being haemorrhage from face and neck injuries.

But because of concerns he has issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report to the London-based Association of Conservative Clubs.

He has asked that a review be carried out of the glazing in doors at the foot of stairs in all Conservative Clubs in England and Wales and to check the proximity of doors to the bottom of staircases.

“In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe the Conservative Association has the power to take such action,” he said.

The association has until April 11 to respond, either explaining what action is being taken to outlining why it is felt that nothing need be done.