Woman ‘blown by helicopter’ at Devon hospital had ‘violent’ death

The family of a woman who died after an incident involving a helicopter landing at a Devon hospital said the “violent manner of her death [has] affected us all”.

Jean Langan, who was 87, died from her injuries after being “blown over” by “downwash” – a rapid change in air – from a coastguard helicopter.

It had been landing at the helipad at Derriford Hospital on 4 March 2022, an inquest into her death held at Exeter Coroner’s Court heard on Monday.

Dr Amanda Jeffery, the pathologist, told the court Mrs Langan’s cause of death was a head injury “caused by falling backwards and striking the ground”.

Mrs Langan had been at an audiology appointment the day of the incident.

Retired senior coroner Ian Arrow showed a jury of 11 people at Exeter’s County Hall CCTV footage of the incident.

It showed the car park next to the helipad and Mrs Langan and her niece walking nearby.

The coastguard helicopter, which was carrying a patient, was seen landing onto the helipad.

The jury saw the pair blown to the ground and members of the public running to their aid.

Dr Jeffery said Mrs Langan had died about three hours after she fell to the ground.

She said her examination found the 87-year-old had bleeding on the brain, as well as a “tear” at the back of her scalp.

She said there was also bruising on the brain and a skull fracture.

Mr Arrow said the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) had investigated the incident.

He said the court would not hear from individual witnesses including the pilots as this was previously covered by the AAIB.

Mrs Langan’s family said in a statement she was “always on the go” and “helped others”.

They added she was a “keen walker” and liked nature.

They said the manner of her death had “affected us immensely”.

The inquest, due to carry on for the week, continues.