Inquest delayed on pregnant Rotherham teacher killed on Australian level crossing

South Yorkshire Assistant Deputy Coroner Julian Fox was due to give his findings at the inquest into the death of Kay Stanley, 32, which has been taking place at the Medico-Legal Centre in Sheffield.

But Mr Fox said he had been informed that Miss Stanley’s mother, Gwen Bates, had been admitted to hospital.

Mrs Bates gave evidence at the inquest and has spent six years campaigning about her daughter’s death.

Mr Fox told the hearing he thought it was appropriate to adjourn the inquest until Mrs Bates was able to attend and hear his findings in person.

He said: “I wish her well and hope she makes a speedy recovery.”

Miss Stanley, originally from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was driving her beloved 37-year-old Volkswagen Beetle in the town of Tyabb, south of Melbourne, when the vehicle was hit by a train which pushed her 560ft (170m) down the line before crushing her against a platform.

She was three months pregnant at the time of the incident in January 2008 and had been planning to marry Australian Brett Vogel two months after.

The hearing follows an inquest in Australia in 2012.

According to reports at the time, Victoria Coroner Jacinta Heffey rejected Mrs Bates view that the level crossing’s flashing lights were not operating, saying there was ‘’overwhelming’’ evidence that as Miss Stanley approached the crossing the warning lights and bells were operating.

Ms Heffey determined that Miss Stanley was distracted when her vehicle entered the level crossing but could not determine what caused this.

Mr Fox told lawyers at the inquest that he did not propose to include in his findings any recommendations to the Australian authorities about how to prevent future deaths.

He said this was covered by the Victoria inquest.