An inquest has opened into the tragic death of a 24-year-old woman who slipped off a bridge after a work event. Police responded to an emergency call regarding the bridge at approximately 12.45am on February 1.
Emma Bundy met her fate after tumbling from the A379 at Sandy Park in Exeter. Following the fall, Emma was tragically struck by a vehicle. A 45-year-old Exmouth man had been apprehended on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and has since been released on bail, with further inquiries now complete.
During a recent hearing at Exeter Coroners Court, it emerged that she had been supported by a passer-by while distressed on the bridge. Area coroner for Devon, Alison Longhorn, explained: “The circumstances are that Emma was attending a work event at Sandy Park. Concerns were raised for her welfare when she was seen in a distressed state on the footbridge over the A379.
“A member of the public called the emergency services and tried to assist her. Unfortunately, Emma slipped off the bridge landing on the road below. Emergency services attended and sadly declared her deceased at the scene. There are no suspicious circumstances. The precise medical cause of death has not yet been ascertained.”
The proceedings have been postponed to accommodate a comprehensive hearing at a later date.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police has confirmed: “There will be no further action taken against the man who was arrested. The matter will not be proceeded with.”
Following the arrest, the area in question was shut down for several hours to allow a thorough investigation. Authorities are calling on witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the incident to step forward.
Emma garnered attention in 2022 when she was featured in a DevonLive article celebrating International Women’s Day. Lauded for her accomplishments in the construction sector, she was working as an apprentice assistant site manager at Vistry South West, involved in projects for Bovis Homes and Linden Homes.
She lived with her mother and their dog, Cleo, and shared her past struggles about overcoming homelessness and being her mother’s carer. She reflected on her tough journey, stating: “I feel very lucky to finally be at this stage in my life as it’s been a real struggle. My mum and I were homeless for two years and I was desperate to turn things around but I had no idea what I wanted to do.”
Emma talked about her diverse work history, which included roles as a delivery driver, maintenance manager at a holiday park, and painter. Eager to pursue learning opportunities, she said, “I’d worked as a delivery driver, a maintenance manager at a holiday park and a painter and I was keen to do as many courses as possible – anything that opened doors for me. I undertook a plastering apprenticeship and achieved an NVQ level two qualification but it was challenging as I had to wake at 5am each morning to walk to the train station.”
Emma, a successful bricklayer, shared her journey from an apprenticeship to thriving in the construction industry: “One teacher, Grant Johnson, kindly told me about an eight week bricklaying course where I met Vistry’s CEO, Greg Fitzgerald – who started as an apprentice – and it really spurred me on. I was delighted when an apprenticeship opened up at Vistry and grabbed it with both hands.”
She expressed how ‘brilliant’ her job is and her gratitude for being part of the industry. In her free time, She added: “In terms of career progression, I’m keen to keep earning qualifications and stay in the company, although one day it may be nice to work abroad.”
Addressing gender bias, she said: “As a female, I have seen bias. I was once told by a teacher that I’d never do as much as a guy but that encouraged me to prove him wrong and I will continue to support other women to challenge these misconceptions. I’ve received lots of praise now I’m on site, which I wasn’t expecting, and it’s good to be in a safe, supportive environment.”
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.