Advertisement

Hairdresser killed after running herself over at client's house

A mobile hairdresser has died after being dragged under her own car when she accidentally hit the accelerator outside her client's house.

In September, Blanche Mullinger, 57, left her Mazda CX-5 running and in gear when she arrived at her client's home in the UK.

She went to retrieve something in the back of her car before going to the driver's door, where she accidentally put her foot on the accelerator, The Mirror reported.

Ms Mullinger was then dragged under her car and she died from a heart attack.

Marzena Ozimek, Ms Mullinger's client, told Hampshire Coroner's Court she was just on the phone with the hairdresser moments before the fatal accident.

Ms Mullinger had called her to say she had arrived, and Ms Ozimek told her she could see her and told her to put down her mobile phone.

Hairdresser Blanche Mullinger was run over by her own car in September last year. Source: Facebook
Hairdresser Blanche Mullinger was run over by her own car in September last year. Source: Facebook

Ms Ozimek made her way downstairs and saw Ms Mullinger was still on her phone and she noticed her bending over in the back of her car.

She then witnessed the car shoot backwards as Ms Mullinger shifted back to the front seat, and Ms Ozimek told the court she heard Ms Mullinger scream.

"I noticed Blanche's head was wedged under the front wheel of the right-hand side of the car, and her foot was still inside the car," Ms Ozimek said according to The Mirror.

"It appeared her foot was stuck under the dashboard while the rest of her body was lying on the ground."

Ms Ozimek didn't drive, so she ran to get help, and a man who was driving by stopped to help.

The man pushed open the door to move the car and was able to free Ms Mullinger and Ms Ozimek then turned off the car.

Ms Ozimek told the court Ms Mullinger's face was grey and her lips were bluish, however she wasn't dead.

The Daily Mail reported the 57-year-old suffered a heart attack within a minute of the accident.

Ms Mullinger died in hospital on September 29, the day after the accident.

One of Blanche Mullinger's clients witnessed the accident. Source: Facebook
One of Blanche Mullinger's clients witnessed the accident. Source: Facebook

Police Sergeant Jamie Barron said it was possible Ms Mullinger could have been distracted by her phone at the time of the accident.

"We've heard what the pathologist said, and it's clear she would have lost consciousness and died within a minute so I hope that is some comfort that she did not suffer," the coroner told Ms Mullinger's friends in court, according to the Daily Mail.

Ms Mullinger had worked at a salon called Blonde Ambition in Bordon. The salon has made several tributes to her on Facebook since her death.

"We will forever miss you, always in our hearts, thoughts & memories," the salon's post back in October said.

"A place we can never fill. You made a Friday and Saturday in the salon full of laughter, debates, happiness and fun.

"Loved by both us at Blonde Ambition and all your lovely loyal customers."

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.