Student misused gym equipment, inquest hears

A student who died in a university gym had not been using the equipment properly, an inquest has heard.

Mohammed Farraj, 21, sustained a traumatic head injury at the University of East Anglia's (UEA) Sportspark in Norwich on 16 October.

An inquest at Norfolk Coroner's Court heard how he had been standing on a plastic block used for step aerobics and using a weight-training machine when it tipped over, causing him to fall.

Johanna Thompson, Norfolk assistant coroner, concluded the death was an accident and that "safety stops on the equipment hadn't been appropriately adjusted" prior to Mr Farraj using the machine.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found there had been no criminal health and safety failings.

The inquest in Norwich heard Mr Farraj, a medical student, had been performing calf raises using a device called a Smith machine, which consists of a barbell fixed within steel rails, used for a variety of exercises.

CCTV footage was shown of the block tipping forward, causing him to fall.

It showed him becoming trapped with his neck beneath the bar, which weighed 65kg (143lb).

The inquest was told that Mr Farraj had received a fast-track induction to the gym in October 2022.

In a statement, a senior fitness adviser said safety blocks that would have prevented the weight from falling to the ground were set to the lowest level and did not stop the bar until it had almost reached the floor.

Det Sgt Robert Waring, of Norfolk Police, said there had been "no third-party involvement" and that the equipment was not faulty.

He said the machine's bar could be rotated to lock into notches to ensure it did not drop.

He described the incident as "tragic" and said incorrect use of the step block meant the accident was avoidable.

Det Sgt Waring said the step was "intended for a different purpose" and that a weight disc could have been used instead.

The inquest heard how two gym users said they heard a "loud bang".

Dr Damian Laba, an anaesthetist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said he saw Mr Farraj "falling on the ground" and realised there was a "potentially-life threatening injury".

He said he asked Sportspark reception staff for an ambulance and resuscitation equipment.

Dr Trey Keov said he saw Mr Farraj "slip", and then he "struggled to his feet very rapidly, then tumbled".

When an inquest into Mr Farraj's death was opened in October, it heard how emergency services were called to the scene.

However, the student was declared dead by the medical team.

Mr Farraj, born in Stoke-on-Trent, was described in a tribute by the UEA's Norwich Medical School as having the potential to be a "great doctor".

His father Hashim Farraj, described him as being "the light and greatest hope" and thanked Dr Laba for "trying to help save my son".

Mr Farraj was a regular gym user and a keen runner who had been in training for an Ironman competition.

The HSE previously said: "We thoroughly investigated this incident and, after careful consideration, decided against any further action.

"We will review our decision if new evidence is presented throughout the inquest and will continue to assist the coroner."

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