Mum of two demands justice after almost being killed by falling masonry on busy Edinburgh street

A mum-of-two who was struck by falling masonry has demanded to know why no formal investigation was ever carried out into the state of the roof of the building where she was almost killed.

Lee Dumayne, 50, was struck by falling masonry on Dalry Road, Edinburgh

Last June, Lee Dumayne, 50, from Corstorphine, was hit in the head by falling masonry as she walked past a building owned by Dunedin Canmore on Dalry Road during stormy conditions.

She was left fighting for life, being given just a two per cent chance to make it through the night.

But now Lee and her family have been left furious after being told by police and the Health and Safety Executive that the case is now closed.

Lee Dumayne and her father Kenneth Pollard

The family were left in further shock when it was revealed that the police had destroyed the alleged object that had struck Lee – thus destroying potential evidence.

In their quest for accountability the family claim that they discovered that HSE had not attended the scene.

They also raised concerns regarding the City of Edinburgh Council and their insistence that Dunedin Canmore had the site under control and that the area was secure.

Lee revealed the masonry fall, which left her with impaired vision and having to learn how to walk and talk again, made her consider taking her own life.

Dalry Road, Edinburgh

She said: “I was left in a coma for two weeks and was left with double vision in both eyes that required surgery. I had to teach myself to walk and talk again following the incident.

“There were some days where I wish the object had killed me and I regularly made plans to end my own life. But I was inspired by those close to me to keep going; as being a mother and wife I still had those who needed me.

“It was difficult for me to learn that Dunedin Canmore had not phoned to check if I was alive. There would have been no legal case against them if they had just shown some humanity.”

Pursuing further investigation, Lee’s father, Kenneth Pollard, 76, is demanding answers for his daughter.

He said: “The police claim that Lee was struck by a tile, but an ambulance driver believed it to be more like a breezeblock – which is considerably heavier and could inflict more damage.

“Lee has never been the same and she deserves to have her questions answered and for someone to hold their hands up.

“As a consequence of my daughter’s injury her life has been turned upside down, with her husband having to give up the family golf shop after 40 years.

A council spokesperson said: “It is the responsibility of all property owners to maintain and carry out repairs to the buildings they own. In this case a slate had come loose, and the housing association had everything in hand and had made the site safe by the time we arrived so there was no need for us to take further action.”

Police Scotland and Dunedin Canmore were contacted for comment but were unable to respond by the time of publishing the article.

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