Coroner flags ongoing risks and urges greater resilience following flooding death
- Written by
Stephanie Hendries- Published
- September 18, 2025
The heartbreaking death of 83-year-old Maureen Gilbert during Storm Babet last October in her Tapton Terrace home is a powerful reminder that vulnerable communities cannot wait any longer for proactive flood measures.
The coroner dealing with Mrs Gilbert's death, Matthew Kewley has issued a 'prevention of future deaths' report which underscores the devastating human consequences when flood risk is not adequately managed.
Tapton Terrace, a small street of 26 houses situated beside the River Rother in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, has been recognised as vulnerable to flooding for over a decade.
Despite an Environment Agency pre-feasibility study in 2007 identifying technically feasible flood risk reduction options, these measures were never implemented, primarily due to cost concerns.
In 2018, the Avenue Flood Balance Reservoir was opened to protect Tapton Terrace by holding back water upstream and reducing downstream flow. That same year, Mrs Gilbert’s home was equipped with flood defenses, including front and rear door barriers. However, these measures only protected against water levels up to 0.6 meters (1.9 feet), leaving her vulnerable during more severe flooding.
The recent coroner’s report highlights that the area “remains vulnerable to flooding,” posing an ongoing “risk to life,” especially for elderly, vulnerable, or immobile residents. Mrs Gilbert, who lived on the street her entire life, was tragically caught in this unresolved risk.
This case starkly illustrates the real human cost of inaction and the necessity for housing associations, local authorities, and flood risk managers to adopt a proactive and holistic approach to flood resilience.
The report issued this week has been sent to the Environment Agency, Derbyshire County Council and the Government minster for flooding, Emma Hardy. The report requires the three interested parties to respond to the coroner - including details of plans that have or will take place - within 56 days.