Family campaign for bridge safety measures following son’s death

A local family are campaigning for improved safety measures at Bristol Suspension Bridge after their son took his own life at the landmark last year.

Teilo How, a 22-year-old lighting engineer at the Cheese and Grain, died in January last year. His father and stepmother, Marc Cox and Lindsay Lawyer, have launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund a judicial review aimed at formally recognising the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust as a public body, which they hope will result in more steps being taken to prevent suicide at the location.

“When a site is known to be high-risk, those responsible should take meaningful steps to prevent avoidable deaths,” said Marc. “Without obligation or accountability, people in a vulnerable state remain unprotected and families continue to grieve in silence. Bringing the bridge up to standard will save lives, and it’s a legacy that my son, Teilo, would wish to see.

“We have started a public Facebook group called Justice for Teilo where we are posting regular updates regarding the campaign as well as any other related news.”

When Teilo died in January 2025, his death was one of three deaths within ten days at the bridge. The family believe access should be made more difficult. They are campaigning to raise £10,000 by 10th January to proceed with the judicial review.

The family have been campaigning alongside another family, whose son died in similar circumstances in 2018.

“Despite a 2018 coroner’s report calling for safety improvements after three student deaths ‘and others’, the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust has made no meaningful changes: and the deaths have continued – as has the suffering and the silence,” said Marc.

“At the centre of this inaction is a legal gap: Is the Bridge Trust a public body? Public bodies have a duty under Article 2 of the Human Rights Act to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable deaths. Yet the coroner has said he cannot decide whether the Bridge Trust is a public body, only whether it is arguably one. We believe this is legally incorrect – and therefore must be challenged. This campaign is about more than our loss – it’s about a wider moral duty. Recognising the Bridge Trust as a public body could be a turning point that helps prevent further loss of life.”

Teilo was a popular member of the Frome community. In addition to his work at the Cheese and Grain, he was manager of the power supply team at the market and a Frome Town Council steward.

His funeral was held at the Cheese and Grain and was attended by over 200 people. He was taken to Frome Dissenters’ Cemetery, where he rests and his family set up a memorial fund in his memory to plant new trees at the cemetery.

The Bridge Master from Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust said the trust has “significant” suicide deterrent measures in place but is reviewing arrangements.

“On behalf of the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust I would like to reiterate our sincere condolences to Teilo’s family and friends and all those affected by suicide,” the Trust said. “The Trust has significant suicide deterrence measures in place including physical deterrents, technological aides and human intervention.

A spokesperson explained the Trust reviewed options to increase physical deterrents in 2017 and 2019 but concluded there were no feasible solutions. Instead, it improved CCTV coverage, including thermal imaging at night, increased overnight bridge attendants and strengthened coordination with Avon and Somerset Police. Staff have also received additional training and support, and an early warning system with the police alerts the Trust to vulnerable individuals.

“Unfortunately, we cannot always get to someone in time, and we are deeply sorry for this,” the Trust added. A review of the deterrents is now under way to assess whether previous options are feasible or if new approaches can be adopted.

The family’s campaign needs to raise £10,000 by Saturday 10th January.

To donate and support the campaign, visit https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/review-into-coroners-powers/

Pictured: Teilo