Tragedy of gentle giant ‘attacked by stranger’
INQUEST OPENS INTO DEATH OF ‘LOVING AND KIND’ FORKLIFT DRIVER
A TRAGIC ‘gentle giant’ who spent six months in a coma with serious head injuries told medics he had been attacked by a stranger the week before he was admitted to hospital, an inquest hearing was told.
Stephen Rimmer, 42, admitted himself to Royal Oldham Hospital on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, a week after he was attacked by an unknown offender.
The step-father suffered serious serious facial injuries and then went into cardiac arrest, with medics placing him into an induced coma.
But Mr Rimmer, a forklift truck driver from Rochdale, never woke up and died in hospital a year ago.
Yesterday, brief details of the case were revealed as a coroner formally opened an inquest into the death more than a year after the tragedy.
Police coroner’s officer Kathy Dixon told Rochdale Coroners’ Court that Mr Rimmer, who was single, presented himself to Royal Oldham Hospital with a fractured jaw and facial injuries.
He told staff he had been ‘assaulted by a stranger’ the week before, the court was told.
While in hospital he suffered a cardiac arrest and was placed into an induced coma but died on March 7, 2020. His body was identified by his sister Christine, the court heard.
Coroner Michael Salt formally opened an inquest and adjourned the case until April 22 when it will be reviewed ahead of an inquest proper.
Mr Salt said the date for a full inquest could not be set as ‘a police investigation is on-going.’
The M.E.N. reported in April last year how Greater Manchester Police had launched a murder investigation after a post-mortem examination concluded there were links between the injuries he received in the assault and his death.
Police suspect the attack took place near to Stephen’s home address on Culvert Street in Rochdale.
A man and a woman were arrested on suspicion of assault in August 2019 in connection with the incident, but
were released under investigation. Last year Stephen’s family released a tribute to him.
Their statement said: “Stephen was a caring son and brother, and a wonderful stepfather to Kimberley. He was also very popular with friends. Stephen was loving and kind, he touched the hearts of many. He was a gentle giant who lived his life to the full.
“His death has left us utterly devastated. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone during this awful time for their support.”
Det Chief Insp Colin Larkin, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “I would like to pay tribute to Stephen’s family who’ve experienced such devastating trauma since the awful assault last August, which has sadly proved fatal. Our thoughts remain with them at this terrible time. We owe it to Stephen and to his loved ones to try and find who committed this brutal act so that we can bring them to justice.
“We appreciate there are limited details at this stage, but we are working with the theory that Stephen was assaulted at, or close to, his home address on Culvert Street in Rochdale.
“Anyone who has any recollection of the circumstances surrounding this incident should do the right thing and come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police online using the GMP page on the Major Incident Public Portal (https://mipp.police.uk) or by phone on 0161 856 6777, quoting Operation Eastleigh. Details can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.