Criminal charges possible in case of Amanda Telfer, lawyer killed by falling window frame

Westminster Coroner's Court heard that the half-tonne window frame that fell and crushed Telfer had been propped up against a wall.

Telfer, 44, died at the scene in Hanover Street, Mayfair. She was walking past the frame and eating a banana when a gust of wind blew the window frame on top of her, according to eyewitnesses. Members of the public and paramedics rushed to the lawyer's aid but couldn't save her.

The building from which the frame fell, 5 Hanover Square, is a multi-million-pound development, comprising office space and a ground floor art gallery.

A post-mortem established the cause of death as blunt force trauma.

Police are investigating the death alongside the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The frame was propped up against a wall as workmen installed windows at the office block.

Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox said: "I formally open and adjourn the inquest into the death of Amanda Barrie Telfer to allow the police and the HSE to undertake the investigation.

"This investigation will take a considerable amount of time, therefore instead of a hearing date, as at the moment we still do not know whether charges will be brought in this case, I adjourn for an internal review."

Telfer had been an intellectual property and media consultant at Keystone Law, and was described as an "extremely talented lawyer" by colleagues.

She was also a freelance consultant for human rights campaign group Reprieve UK, where she worked with British inmates facing the death penalty in the US.

Image: Getty