Couple could hold clues to Buddhist monk's death

By ROB GIBSON
January 17, 2008

A couple who tried to save a Buddhist monk from dying under a lawn mower could hold valuable information about what happened. HM Coroner for Milton Keynes is appealing for the pair to contact his officers as they may be able to help an inquest into the death of 50-year-old Reverend Gyosei Handa. Hundreds gathered to pay their respects to Reverend Gyosei Handa who was killed while mowing the grass at the Peace Pagoda at Willen Lake last yearThe chief monk

Hundreds gathered to pay their respects to Reverend Gyosei Handa who was killed while mowing the grass at the Peace Pagoda at Willen Lake last year

died on Tuesday, August 21 after becoming trapped under the sit-on lawn mower he had been using to cut the grass at the Peace Pagoda at Willen Lake.

It is believed that a couple, who were walking in the grounds, ran to the assistance of the monk and tried to help.
However, they left the scene before police officers could take their details.

Rev Handa was best known for his annual Hiroshima Day lantern ceremonies and helped to build the Peace Pagoda in 1980 - the first to be built in the western hemisphere.

The circumstances surrounding the death have been investigated by the Health and Safety Executive.

The inquest is due to start in February and Coroner Rodney Corner has urged the couple to contact Milton Keynes Coroner's office on 08458 505505.

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