A woman who was killed after she appeared to deliberately step into the path of a moving bus had probably slipped or fallen, a coroner has said.

Lynn Teresa Flannighan, 38, died of multiple injuries when she was hit by the Go North East near the Croxdale Inn, in Front Street Croxdale, County Durham, at 7.30pm on January 21, an inquest was told. 

The hearing at Crook Coroners' Court was told Lee Potter was driving through the village when Ms Fannighan appeared to “dive” in front of his bus. He braked immediately but there was nothing he could do to prevent the collision. 

County Durham and Darlington assistant coroner Tanyka Rawden said the incident had happened very quickly and it was understandable that the bus driver didn't process it and came to the conclusion he did. 

But, having reviewed bus CCTV footage of the incident, she said she was "not convinced" it was deliberate and ruled the death of Ms Flannighan, of Spennymoor, had been accidental. 

Ms Rawden said : “I think it probably was a trip or slip. She just seems to stumble. That is my interpretation of what I see."

The hearing was told of Ms Flannighan's history of mental health problems and that she had been to the hospital earlier in the day, when she spoke of suicidal thoughts.

But she was released after she was assessed by a mental health team and there was no evidence she intended to take her life, Ms Rawden said.

Referring to the CCTV, she said: “I don't know if she (Ms Flannighan) tripped or stumbled or just lost her balance, but somehow she is unsteady on her feet.

"Not because of intoxication or being under the influence of drugs, because we know she’s not. So how that incident came about I don't know."

“My conclusion is that Lynn died on the 21st of January 2022 after being struck by a vehicle while crossing the road. My overall conclusion is that this is accidental death."

Ms Rawden said she had no concerns about the bus driver's driving.

In a statement Lee Potter said he had five passengers on his double decker bus and was travelling within the 40mph limit on the B6285 on the night concerned. 

He said: “As I approached the inn on the right, on the left I saw a small group of people standing in front of the bus stop. While some distance away, all except one crossed the road.

“The remaining person (Ms Flannaghin) stayed where she was and I assumed she was going to wait until the bus had passed.

“She was standing looking across the road, just off the kerb in a small layby, well back from my lane. She showed no signs of intending to cross.

“As I got closer she appeared to bend down as if to pick something up and then she turned towards me and appeared to dive forward into the path of the bus."

"It was just a few feet away. I slammed on my brakes, but she was so close to me there was nothing I could have done."

Detective Sergeant Leon Usher said on the days leading up to the tragedy police were aware she had several contacts with emergency services and mental health services.

On the morning of the incident she called for ambulance to take her to a mental health facility. After being assessed she agreed to go home with support from the crisis team.

A toxicological report showed she had only prescribed medication in her blood and no alcohol. 

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