§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the deaths that have occurred in cellular vans over the last 10 years, citing name, place, date and inquest result; and if he will make a statement on the circumstances.
§ Mr. Peter LloydCellular vans are used by both police and prison services.
I understand from the director general of the Prison Service that no deaths have occurred in cellular vans used by the Prison Service or by a firm contracted by the Prison Service to provide escort services.
One death has occurred in a cellular vehicle used by the police. On 19 June 1989, Mr. Terence O'Shea, a 43-year-old remand prisoner, died in a Lancashire constabulary prisoner transport vehicle while in transit between Blackpool magistrates court and Her Majesty's remand centre, Risley. Staff had checked Mr. O'Shea's cell 71W at various times en route, but he was found to be collapsed on arrival at destination. A police surgeon had certified him fit to be detained although he was suffering from alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Cause of death was heatstroke. At the inquest a verdict of accidental death was recorded.