The family of a 21-year-old who was tragically crushed by her own car say they believe her death could have been prevented.
An inquest today heard Eleisha Skinner, who was crowned Miss Faversham in 2022, had been unloading belongings from her car outside her university accommodation in High Wycombe when tragedy struck on January 4.
Eleisha Skinner tragically died in January. Picture: Faversham Carnival Club
She died in hospital four days later, with news of her death shocking her hometown. Hundreds of emotional well-wishers attended her funeral in March.
During her inquest today, held at Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court, the coroner revealed he will be issuing a prevention of future deaths report to her former landlords following the tragedy.
The court heard how her black Audi A1 was parked in neutral with the handbrake fully engaged but began to slip as she stood behind it unloading her belongings.
According to Bucks Free Press, police officers at the scene noted that the “sloped” driveway was covered in ice after wintry weather, making it “very slippery”.
Eleisha Skinner, from Faversham, was described as a “beautiful soul” who had an “infectious smile”
The driveway had not been salted or gritted, and there was no barrier or railings in place to stop “overrun”.
Landlords Howarth Property, who have since installed barriers, wrote in a letter to the coroner that inspections of the property determined that the driveway was assessed as safe.
Their statement also said that implementing fixed guarding would “introduce its own serious risk” by creating a trap between a moving vehicle and an immovable structure.
As such, the statement added, it could “potentially cause greater harm than would have occurred in its current absence”.
Barriers have since been installed at the home.
Eleisha’s cause of death was found to be an anoxic brain injury due to asphyxia compression, meaning pressure on her body prevented her from breathing properly.
Coroner Crispin Butler issued a prevention of future deaths report to Howarth Property amid concerns that an “incident could arise where another individual could die”.
The driveway where Eleisha Skinner died before work was done
The driveway where Eleisha Skinner died after the safety work was carried out
The firm has 56 days to say what action has been taken.
Mr Butler offered a conclusion of accidental death.
But speaking to KentOnline after the inquest, Eleisha’s mum Claire Skinner said she felt it “was an accident that could have been prevented”.
“My family and I want people to be accountable for this,” she added.
“We are thankful for everyone’s hard work, but I will be seeking legal advice.”
A star pupil with a passion for learning, Eleisha thrived at school in Faversham, attending St Mary’s Primary School and later The Abbey.
Eleisha Skinner with her dad Nigel. Picture: Clare and Nigel Skinner
Read more about Eleisha Skinner here
She flourished academically and socially and was always eager to get involved – whether organising the school prom or fundraising for the Faversham Fire Brigade.
Despite her outgoing nature, her family were surprised when she decided to put herself forward for Miss Faversham in 2022.
Demonstrating her beauty both inside and out, Eleisha was crowned and went on to represent the town at events across the county.
Eleisha Skinner with brother Kian. Picture: Claire Skinner
Her funeral saw 450 people gather for a celebration of her life, while a GoFundMe was launched in Eleisha’s name for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance team, which the family say was “fantastic”.
Thousands of pounds have been raised so far, with the family hoping to reach £10,000 across the various fundraisers started in Eleisha’s memory.