Chest injuries caused death of woman in car cliff fall

Elderly Woman Died After Car Plunged Over Wall at Corbière, Inquest Hears

An inquest has concluded that a Jersey woman who died when the car she was travelling in went over a bunker wall at Corbière suffered fatal chest injuries and asphyxiation.

Ann Mary Robins, 84, was a passenger in a Suzuki Swift driven by her long-time friend Kathleen Dowling, also in her 80s, when the incident happened in April last year.

The hearing was told the two women had set out for Corbière to enjoy an ice cream. As Mrs Dowling pulled into a nearby car park, she slowed the vehicle but was unable to explain to police why it failed to stop. The car, which was later found in third gear, travelled forward and overturned after going over the wall, landing more than 13ft (3.9m) below.

During police questioning, Mrs Dowling recalled hearing her friend call out “stop” but reassured her, saying “don’t worry – we’ll be OK” moments before the crash.

Mrs Robins, who had been friends with Mrs Dowling for more than four decades, was given CPR at the scene but was later pronounced dead in hospital.

Mechanical checks revealed no defects with the vehicle.

Mrs Robins’ family expressed frustration during the inquest, saying they felt “there had been no accountability” as no one had been charged in relation to her death. They have since raised concerns with the Constable of St Brelade, calling for safety measures such as the installation of boulders at Corbière to prevent similar tragedies.