Psychiatric Nurse Details Attempt to Free Patient Trapped in Window

A psychiatric nurse has testified at an inquest, recounting his discovery of a young woman, Jessica Powell, 20, trapped and unresponsive in a window on a mental health ward. Ms. Powell passed away on August 22, 2020, three days after the incident at Summerlands Hospital in Yeovil. Stephen Aduachie stated that he found Miss Powell with her lower body protruding from a narrow opening, measuring no more than 10cm, after she became ensnared in the window. He explained that he had to circumnavigate the entire hospital building to extricate her from the exterior. He further noted that despite his efforts to free her from within the room, there was “no way” she was coming out. “I supported her head whilst I was using my finger to check her pulse and couldn’t find it,” he recounted. “I was using my strength to open the window a bit wider for Jess to breath, even though there was no sign of her breathing.” The inquest jury, convened in Wells, was informed that on the evening of August 19, 2020, ward personnel discovered Ms. Powell partially lodged in a window. The window was open but equipped with restrictors, limiting its opening to approximately 10cm wide. Mr. Aduachie informed the jury that a search commenced for Miss Powell, who had been diagnosed with emotionally unstable borderline personality disorder, after she disappeared around 22:30 BST. He stated that he located her approximately 10 minutes later, following the unlocking of a therapy room door. The inquest heard that Miss Powell reportedly locked herself inside the room prior to attempting to pass through the window, becoming trapped by her chest. Mr. Aduachie explained that Miss Powell had exited the window feet first, but the upper section of her body remained immobile. “No one was coming so I shouted ‘help’ out of the door,” he testified. He was compelled to leave Miss Powell with other staff members as he ran through the hospital, exiting via the main entrance, which was situated on the opposite side from where Miss Powell was ensnared. He then recounted having to circle back around the building to reach her location. “When I got there I tried to push the window a bit wider, when I pushed it a bit more the window opened a bit and then Jess (was) brought to the floor,” he stated. Miss Powell received emergency medical intervention and was transported to Yeovil District Hospital, where she subsequently succumbed to her injuries. A post-mortem examination determined her cause of death as hypoxic ischemia resulting from mechanical asphyxia, which signifies an insufficient supply of blood flow and oxygen to the brain. During the inquest’s commencement, Miss Powell’s father, John Powell, submitted a statement expressing the family’s apprehension regarding his daughter’s “self-harming and life-threatening behaviour.” He further conveyed his concern that his worries were “not taken seriously.” The inquest is scheduled to conclude next week.