Clarice Berry, a 77-year-old grandmother from Wigan, was crushed to death when a gable end wall collapsed on her while she was hanging out laundry on July 18, 2021. An inquest at Bolton Coroner’s Court on June 29, 2026, heard that the wall had been a 'timebomb' with known structural defects that were never repaired by the landlord.
Wall collapse and immediate response
Mrs. Berry was in the lean-to carport of her home on Old Lane, Shevington, when the wall gave way, burying her under 10 feet of rubble. Neighbors described the sound as like a 'bomb had gone off' and rushed to help, removing bricks with their bare hands until firefighters arrived. She was freed and taken to Wigan Infirmary but died shortly after from chest injuries.
The inquest, first opened in July 2021, heard that temperatures reached 32°C that day. Her husband, Arthur Berry, had been visiting their daughter and returned to a scene of devastation.
Coroner's findings on landlord negligence
Coroner Briona Hartley described the death as 'senseless' and a 'tragedy,' criticizing the landlord, Schlomo Klein, and property manager KMPM for failing to act. She stated that 'any competent building inspector or landlord' with 'common sense' could have prevented the tragedy.
Investigations by Health and Safety Executive inspector George Smart revealed long-standing wall tie failure causing the wall to bulge visibly for years. Mr. Berry had repeatedly complained to the landlord, but no structural assessment or remedial work was undertaken.
Ms. Hartley said: '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.'
Narrative conclusion and family response
The coroner gave a narrative conclusion, stating that Mrs. Berry died from chest injuries caused by the collapse, which would have been prevented if remedial action had been taken. She said she would issue a report to prevent future deaths under Regulation 28 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013.
Speaking after 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.'
