lap belt

The coroner said Mrs Lakin's family bought the lap belt with "good intentions" as they wanted to keep her safe.

Mrs Lakin was unable to self-rescue by mobilising in the way that some people might be able to and therefore remained trapped, and effectively suspended by the lap belt around her neck, until she was found by a family member who visited her.

"The child's mother also said the lap belt on the chair was much too tight," the ombudsman's report said.

For a vehicle to earn a "good" rating, the crash test dummy should not record excessive risk of injury to the body parts and should remain correctly positioned during the crash without sliding forward beneath the lap belt.

The lap belt is designed to hold the body in the seat.