Pictured: Woman, 87, who died ‘after falling in pothole’ and breaking her hip – as MP calls on Keir Starmer to take action over Britain’s crumbling roads

The family of the woman who died after falling into a pit and breaking her hip said her death was ‘absolutely unnecessary’.

Beryl Barrett died on Christmas Day, aged 87, after she broke the wheel of her walking device and fell backwards while crossing the road near her home in the Nottinghamshire market town of Warsop.

Steve Yemm, the Labor MP for Mansfield, raised her death alongside Sir Keir Starmer during Prime Minister’s Questions, saying it was time to ‘act’.

His family said in a statement that he led an active life and lived independently until the fall.

They said they believed the fall led to his death six days later.

They said he regularly attended church and bingo and met with family and friends for events.

‘He used a walking aid and, after going to the hairdresser on December 19, attempted to cross the road in Church St, Warsop, using the zebra crossing.

‘The walking aid broke its wheel and he fell backwards onto the road. Many kind members of the public rushed to help him. We’re really grateful for that.’

Family members also attended as an ambulance. Medics confirmed that her femur and the top of her previous hip replacement were broken.

He was taken to Kings Mill Hospital and recommended for surgery the following week.

The family said: ‘Sadly and completely unnecessarily, he went into respiratory failure on Christmas Day and passed away.

‘We believe that if that accident had not happened (despite his underlying health problems) he would not have passed away like this.’

Following the incident, the Labor MP launched a new public petition calling on Nottinghamshire Council to take decisive action to address the deteriorating condition of roads in and around Mansfield and ensure public money is spent effectively.

He said: ‘Sadly, on Christmas Day my constituent Beryl Barrett passed away after tragically falling into an unrepaired ditch and I’m sure the whole household will want to share my condolences with the family.

‘In my constituency of Mansfield, there are thousands of potholes on our roads that Nottinghamshire County Council has failed to repair.

‘Does the Prime Minister agree with me that it is time for the council to take action to repair our roads and will he meet Beryl’s family so we can work together to ensure accidents like this don’t happen again?’

The Prime Minister responded: ‘May I offer my deepest condolences to Beryl’s family?

Steve Yemm, the Labor MP for Mansfield, raised the death of his electorate with Sir Keir Starmer during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, saying it was time to ‘take action’.

‘I will ensure that the minister of roads meets the family at the first opportunity. It shows why tackling potholes is really important.

‘We’re investing £2bn in the East Midlands to repair roads and improve local transport.

‘We are also introducing tough new standards for councils to prove they are repairing roads properly.’

Mr Yemm told Mansfield Chad: ‘I am angry that another member of our community in Mansfield and Warsop has suffered physical injury and death as a result of the deterioration of our roads in the area and have spoken to Beryl’s family to offer my condolences.’

A minute’s silence was observed in memory of Mrs Barrett at the Warsop Parish Council meeting on Monday.

A statement from Warsop District Council said: ‘Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with Ms Barrett’s loved ones at this difficult time.

‘The Parish Council recognizes and shares residents’ concerns about the condition of local roads and pavements, which were raised with our District Council representative and noted at the Parish Council meeting on 19 January 2026.

Councilor Bert Bingham, the authority’s cabinet member for transport and the environment, said his thoughts were with Barrett’s family but added ‘we do not consider it appropriate to comment further until any relevant investigation has taken place’.

Neighbor and friend Mark Humphreys, 69, said: ‘She was an absolutely lovely woman. Just two days before the fall I gave him a Christmas card.

‘He had recently been hospitalized with pneumonia but was otherwise in good health. He had to have years left.

‘He lived alone. I think her husband passed away a few years ago. He would sit on the bench outside or at the door of his bungalow and just say hello and chat to people passing by. She was such a woman. I really miss him; We would have a cup of tea together in the community centre.

‘What happened is absolutely terrible. It’s such a shame. I 100 per cent blame the council. If he hadn’t fallen, he would still be here today. I honestly can’t get over this. When are they going to do something about these holes? The council should be ashamed of itself.’

Second neighbor Ros Jones said: ‘I think it’s disgusting what happened. So sad. The area where it fell is known to be particularly bad. It had to be sorted for years.

‘It is a scandal that it has reached this stage. And if the council doesn’t do something about it, it will happen again.

‘He was very easygoing. “This is such a shame.”

Geoff Dale, 72, who lived opposite Beryl, said: ‘She was a wonderful woman, very generous and lovely. He had many families; a son, two daughters and grandchildren. They must be devastated.

‘He’s been here a long time. ‘It’s tragic to live such a long life and then die like this.’

A fourth neighbor, who did not want to be named, added: ‘It was only a matter of time before something like this happened. The roads here are a disgrace.

‘She was a lovely woman, had a big family and a lot to live for. “This is a tragedy.”