On 1 April 2014, shortly after 10 a.m., Keane Wallis-Bennett, a 12 year old girl died whilst changing for a gym class at Liberton High School, Edinburgh, Scotland. A prefabricated wall[1] in the middle of the changing room collapsed and, unlike the other girls, Wallis-Bennett was not fast enough jumping out of the way. The purpose of the free-standing wall was to provide privacy whilst changing and showering.[2] Pupils at the school had complained about the wall being unstable some months before, but nothing had been done.[3] Surveyors had not identified the wall as needing repairs.[2] At least 13 schools were subsequently identified as having similar walls.[4] There had been other problems with the buildings at Liberton High School. In December 2011, a 15-year-old student was injured after falling down a lift shaft.[5] Wallis-Bennett's funeral was held at Mortonhall Crematorium.[4]

British prime minister, David Cameron, said "It was an absolutely shocking accident... Clearly the lessons will have to be learned to make sure that tragic accidents like that cannot happen again."[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Engagements", Hansard, vol. 578, 2 April 2014
  2. 1 2 "Pupil's wall death prompts checks across Edinburgh schools", BBC, 2 April 2014
  3. ↑ White, Stephen (2 April 2014), "Family pay tribute to 12-year-old schoolgirl crushed to death by changing room wall", Daily Mirror
  4. 1 2 "Keane Wallis-Bennett death: Funeral held", BBC, 17 April 2014
  5. ↑ "Council fined for lift shaft fall at Liberton High School", BBC, 25 February 2014
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