Understand
Security improvements made at Bangor's Hergest unit following student's death in 1994
Overview
A fresh inquest into the 1994 death of student Anthony Whittle has concluded he died by misadventure after escaping through a window at the Hergest psychiatric unit in Bangor. Staff at the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board informed the inquest that security improvements, including more secure windows and anti-climb guttering, have been implemented in the decades since the incident.
Key points
- Anthony Whittle died in 1994 after escaping through a window at the Hergest psychiatric unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.
- A fresh inquest concluded that Whittle died by misadventure after suffering an acute mental health episode.
- Whittle's parents fought for years for a new inquest after the High Court ruled the 1995 hearing inadequate, though they passed away before it took place.
- The health board running the unit stated that windows have been made more secure and anti-climb guttering has been installed since the incident.