A man has died after his head was accidentally trapped under the electronic footrest of a UK cinema seat.
The Birmingham Mail reports the March 9 incident occurred when the man searched for his dropped phone at the end of a screening at Birmingham’s Star City Vue Cinema.
Sources said the Gold Class seat footrest was initially in an upright position, but collapsed around the man’s head as he looked for his phone.
Paramedics were called as the man’s partner and other cinema patrons attempted to free him. He was only released when onlookers broke the footrest.
Ambulance crews responded to reports of a patient in cardiac arrest, and managed to restart the man’s heart before rushing him to Heartlands Hospital.
Tragically, a spokesperson for Vue Cinema has now confirmed the man died on March 16, one week after the incident.
In a statement, Vue Cinema said “a full investigation into the nature of the incident is ongoing.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with the family who have our full support and assistance.”
Birmingham City Council said it is conducting a full investigation into the incident.
Vue Cinema’s website states its Gold Class recliner seats let viewers choose their desired seating angle.
“Now, put your feet up and recline back with a touch of a button – yes, all the way back – until you find your perfect viewing angle, unique to you,” it says.
