Woman dies after getting locked in Debenhams toilet when store closed

Debenhams have apologised for the incident (Picture: SWNS)

A woman died when she became locked in a branch of Debenhams overnight after suffering a blood clot.

Lorraine Rawbone, 70, suffered the blood clot at the store in Folkestone, Kent, and collapsed in the loos only a day before she was due to host her golden wedding party.

An inquest into her death heard how staff at the store had checked the toilets on the day of her death in March this year, but Mrs Rawbone had gone unnoticed.

Her disappearance was first noticed by husband Terry, who became concerned when she failed to meet him in a car park at 5.20pm for a lift home.

‘I was beginning to worry because she was always very prompt and I just knew something was not right’, Terry said.

‘This was just unheard of. I was constantly phoning her mobile every few seconds and it was just ringing and going to answer phone.’

The incident occurred at Debenham’s in Folkestone (Picture: SWNS)

Terry then notified police of his wife’s disappearance, who launched a search of public toilets in the town.

But her location was discovered after the couple’s son used an iPhone tracker and discovered that his mother was still inside the store.

After police were initially unable to track down the store key holder, another officer contacted a relative who worked at the store, before Mrs Rawbone was found unconscious.

Attending officer PC Chandler told the inquest: ‘I was extremely concerned for the welfare of Mrs Rawbone.
‘I felt Mr Rawbone’s concerns were genuine and we needed to find his wife as soon as possible because the situation was escalating.’

A post-mortem revealed that Mrs Rawbone had suffered from a fatal large pulmonary embolism – an often fatal blood clot.

Recording a verdict of death by natural causes, Christine Freedman, assistant coroner for South East Kent, said: ‘This is a very sad case, particularly because it was the day before her golden wedding anniversary.

‘The procedure for checking the store at closing time failed to find her and there was further difficulty in locating a key holder. These delays reduced her chance of survival.’

A Debenhams spokesman added: ‘We wish to extend our sincere condolences to the family.

‘The coroner’s concerns have been noted by our health and safety team.’