Car park death (From Barry And District News)

Car park death

NEW SAFETY calls are being made after a local man plunged to his death off the top of town's multi-storey car park.

The incident happened just minutes before children at Court Road School, opposite the car park, were due to break for lunch.

The man has been named as Mr Peter Davies, aged 48, formerly of Penarth but now living in Barry.

Matthew Thomas, 24, from Merthyr Street, witnessed the scene.

He told the News: "I was standing over by the school when I heard a woman screaming on the corner. I turned round and saw a bloke lying on the floor.

"It was obvious that he had fallen from the car park."

He added: " Someone rushed off to get a doctor from Towers Surgery, others called for an ambulance and some even tried to revive him. But I could see it was pointless."

The incident brought the busy area to a standstill as shocked shoppers stood around in silence as they watched the emergency services spring into action. Paramedics tried to save Mr Davies, while the police cordoned off the whole site and launched a full investigation.

The car park was immediately closed and many motorists found themselves trapped in the building until the scene was cleared.

Vale of Glamorgan spokesman PC Simon Rees later issued a statement. He said: "We can confirm that following an investigation there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of Peter Davies."

PC Rees said that Mr Davies was originally from Penarth but was now living in Barry but added that there were 'no other details on file."

This latest death has revived the debate over the safety of the Vale of Glamorgan Council run car park.

Many believe all the floors of the site should have secure railings - both to avoid accidents and stop anyone contemplating suicide from gaining access to the high walls.

They have been calling for this action since a similar incident occurred in early 2000.

Just under two years ago, shoppers again watched in disbelief as Timothy Jones, of Amherst Crescent fell off the top of the same car park.

The 39-year-old quantity surveyor had apparently been admitted to Sully Hospital after a psychiatric assessment, but left on the night of Sunday January 5 and returned home before going to the car park.