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Deaths in 2001
Deaths in 2001
Back to Top Deaths in 2002 Click on
the names below for further case details
FURTHER DETAILS OF DEATHS Michael Alan Richards
Michael,
a worker in a glazing firm, died of injuries sustained when he fell two and a half metres off a ladder while installing a conservatory.
Owen Glynn Smith
Owen died after an incident in which he hit his head while exercising in a gym. Owen was doing chin-ups when he hit his head on a metal bar, fracturing his skull. But the injury was not spotted during two visits to his doctor and another to hospital. Owen was found dead in bed 19 days later, after an infection spread to his brain. The inquest was held at Cardiff Coroner's Court in June 2002. Owen's brother Glenn told the inquest that he and Owen had gone to the gym at Eastern Leisure Centre in Llanrumney, Cardiff, for a workout. He said, 'We'd been in the gym for nearly two hours and had nearly come to the end of our workout when we decided to do some chin-ups. I moved on to another apparatus and heard Owen say, "I've banged my head". Several hours later Owen complained of headaches and constantly feeling sick.' He visited his GP Dr Martin Evans after suffering four days of pain. Dr Evans told the inquest, 'The main complaint was with the bruising above the left eye. I gave him some eye ointment and asked for it to be applied twice daily and return if there is no improvement.' Owen returned to the surgery eight days later, still complaining of headaches. He was sent to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, but collapsed when he arrived and was described as being 'incoherent'. Dr Richard Hatfield examined an X-ray and scan of Owen's head but still saw no fracture. He told the hearing, 'It was difficult to be certain, but we didn't think he had a fracture. I wasn't aware that he had a constant headache.' Owen returned home from hospital but died seven days later. Pathologist Derek James confirmed that a skull fracture had led to Owen's death. He said, 'An infection got into the brain because of the fracture. But I can't recall seeing an injury before caused by anything like this. He must have pulled himself up with some force.' The Cardiff Coroner Lawrence Addicott recorded a verdict of 'Accidental Death'.
Clive Leonard Tamplin
Clive,
a worker in a demolition firm, sustained severe head injuries while demolishing
a wall. Clive was acting as 'lookout' while his
colleague demolished a wall - but he died after being struck while in
the 'drop zone' of the falling objects. The firm had been contracted
by JBG Building Services to demolish two terraced houses in Piercefield
Place in Cardiff. Mr Proctor told the hearing Clive had said to him, 'Go on Tone, knock it down,' and he could not see where the bricks were going because the wall was too high. He was alerted to the accident by two women who spotted Mr Tamplin lying on the ground with bricks hitting his body. In a statement read to the court, student Hazel Hughes told how from her window she saw a builder standing on top of scaffolding to knock away bricks. She said, 'My vision followed the bricks to the ground which is when I noticed a man lying on the ground in front of the scaffolding in the pit of the site.' Mr Proctor added he believed Clive had been wearing a hard hat at the time but he said it was common for him to wear a baseball cap underneath it. Health and Safety inspector Dr Chantal Nicholls said this habit would have made the hard hat unstable and could have caused it to be easily knocked off.
Mark Cousins
Mark, who had severe learning difficulties, died four months after sustaining injuries when he fell in the shower on 18 October 2001 at a care home. Mark was paralysed from the neck down after the fall. In the week before his death Mark's family had been meeting with specialists in preparation for his return home.
Robert Grant
Robert died after falling from a crane on which he was testing electrical circuits. The inquest was held at Cardiff Coroner’s Court on 17 October
2002. A verdict of 'Accidental Death' was returned. Prosecutor Steve Scott told the court that Robert hit the ground and later died from multiple injuries. 'It would appear most likely that he fainted and fell from the open edge of the platform,' he said. Mr Scott said precautions had to be taken when people were required to work within two metres of an open edge, and Robert was working much closer to the edge than that. A safety harness would have restrained Robert from falling, he added. He added that 80 fatalities a year were due to workers falling from a height in industry, and companies were required to assess the risks and take precautions. 'In the view of the Health and Safety Executive the risks were very foreseeable and in this case the precautions were very straight forward,' he said. Deputy District Judge David Webster said the incident was 'a wholly avoidable tragic accident'.
Carl Parsons
Carl died when the dumper truck he was driving turned over
and burst into flames at the Allied Steel and Wire works in Cardiff. Carl was engulfed in flames when the truck tipped over and the 800C slag ignited diesel spilling from the tank.He
was working for a sub-contractor, Short Brothers. In January 2006 Short Brothers Plant Ltd admitted breaking health and safety laws, in that they had failed to ensure the health and safety of their employee, and was fined £100,000 at Cardiff Crown Court and ordered to pay £42,000 costs. The court heard Short Brothers had not done proper health and safety checks on its vehicles at the site. The truck had been modified to carry the scorching hot slag. But the extra weight affected the brakes, which were not tested regularly. There were no eye witnesses to the accident and investigators never discovered why the truck tipped over. The court heard Carl's brother Selwyn had been driving it earlier the same day and had reported no problems when he handed the keys to his brother on the afternoon shift. Sentencing, Judge Gerald Price QC said the accident could have been avoided. 'This was a disaster waiting to happen,' he said. Judge Price said Carl's death happened 'following the defendant's failure to ensure his safety'. Prosecutor Bryan Thomas described how part of the truck's rigging was badly maintained and had seized. He said the brakes were capable of working, but to a reduced effect and the chain on the petrol cap had been broken and not replaced. 'The load on Mr Parsons' truck was 16% more than recommended by the manufacturer. The brakes failed as he drove up a slope to release the waste metal. But the truck rolled back and tipped over igniting the truck's diesel fuel which had escaped through the leaking cap. Carl got out of his cab, but could not escape the fire., and was found some distance away, seriously injured. Mr Thomas said that Carl had died as a result of the company's systematic failure of basic health and safety features. Afterwards the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) welcomed the fine. HSE principal inspector Steve Scott said, 'This is a most tragic case, and must serve as a warning to all companies engaged in potentially hazardous activities of the need for thorough and robust health and safety measures to protect their employees. The financial penalties for failing to do this are severe, but in cases like this, there is also the human cost which no fine can ever repay, and we would extend our condolences to Mr Parsons' family at this time.' He added, 'HSE will take the strongest action against any companies who fail to give proper attention to health and safety matters. Prevention is infinitely better than a cure, and there is a considerable amount of advice and guidance published by HSE to help employers comply with their legal duties.'
Clive Protheroe
Clive
died when he fell while working on a stack at the Tremorfa steelworks. Clive lost his footing as he stepped on to steel ducting and fell 30ft. Foreman Malcolm Rees was discussing with a colleague how to secure the ducting, the hearing was told, and could only watch helplessly as Clive stepped on to a freshly-painted ledge and slipped. He told the court, 'It was about 4pm. Clive appeared asking if there was anything he could do to help as he wanted to get off site. He looked at me, said "let me have a look" and leapt on to the duct. The next thing he had slipped.' His colleague Neil Baker told the court he wished he had told the scaffolder to stop. 'My instinctive reaction was to say "watch your feet",' he said. 'And then it was too late.'
Gary Thompson
Gary, a
self-employed builder, died when he fell through a stairwell
hole during construction of a house.
John Walsh
John died after falling from a height at the site for the new Welsh Assembly
debating chamber in Cardiff. John was working for the sub-contractor Ferson
Construction. The principal contractor was Taylor Woodrow.
Stephen Tovey
Stephen Tovey, a Parcelforce worker, died after being hit by a motorbike while making deliveries in Cardiff. He was based at the Parcelforce Newport depot. Both Stephen and the motorcyclist were taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff in a critical condition, but died later.
Richard Jenkins
Richard Jenkins was a firefighter. He died in an explosion at a disused community hall in Caerau, Cardiff. Richard had been the first firefighter to enter the burning building. He suffered massive head and facial injuries when a gas canister exploded in the disused hall. Two of his colleagues were also badly injured. The two, despite their injuries, fought to resuscitate Richard, but he was dead on arrival at hospital. In January 2005 two men were jailed for 10 years over Richard's death in the hall they set alight. Christopher Raisis, 25, and Jamie Evans, 20, denied manslaughter but were found guilty at Cardiff Crown Court. Along with a third man - Craig Sterio, 31, jailed for four years - they were also found guilty of witness intimidation, robbery and causing actual bodily harm. After sentencing them, Judge Mr Justice Forbes told them, 'As a result of your actions of wanton vandalism Richard Jenkins has now died. He was a much-loved family man in the prime of his life. He was a dedicated and courageous public servant who died in the course of his public duty fighting a fire which you deliberately set. Your crime has devastated his family, friends and colleagues. It has caused lasting grief and sorrow. The wider public is much the poorer for losing this young man whose tragic death was brought about by your crime. You have shown no remorse, no regret in what you have done.' Throughout the trial, both Raisis and Evans denied starting the fatal blaze. Raisis told the jury that he was 'nowhere near' the old bingo hall and community centre, at the time of the explosion. Evans denied that he had made a phone call during which he was overheard saying 'You've killed the firefighter'. He insisted he only learned of the death the following day when his mother told him. On the night of the fatal fire, he told the court he had been involved in a fight outside a pub earlier and had then been out in Ely with friends. Responding to the verdict, Chief Fire Officer Brian Fraser from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the decision brought 'some justice to this terrible event'. 'As always, our thoughts remain with Richard's family. This guilty verdict is no consolation for the tragic loss of a husband, son, father, firefighter, colleague and friend.' He added the verdict should send 'a stark message' to potential arsonists.
Vernon Hier
Vernon,
a civil engineer, was killed when struck by the bucket
of an excavator at a G. Wimpey SW Ltd building site in Palmerston Road. James Lynch told the hearing that he was at the building site routinely shaking his one-tonne digger bucket to check it was secure for the night, when it fell, pinning Vernon r against the vehicle's tracks. But Mr Lynch only realised what had happened when he heard a moan, looked out of his window and saw Mr Hier trapped. He quickly moved the bucket away to release the pressure off Mr Hier and jumped out to help but, despite first aid attempts by workers, Vernon was later pronounced dead at Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales. 'I shook the bucket, saw it fall then could hear a moan or groan,' Mr Lynch told the inquest. 'I moved the bucket and jumped out and said, "Vernon, are you okay?" 'He said, 'I'm fine,' but in seconds he fell back.' Other workers at the site in Palmerston Road rushed to give first aid but Vernon lost consciousness. The jury returned a verdict of 'Accidental Death'. Mr Lynch said he could not understand why Vernon, a trained driver himself, had walked between the digger and the bucket, instead of walking around the back of the digger which was safer. He said, 'I had seen him turn his back to me and walk in the opposite direction before I shook the bucket. I thought he was going to put some chains in the lock-up. For some reason he must have changed his mind. He came from my right in the blind spot. What made him walk there I will never know.' Pathologist Andrew Davison said Vernon died from blunt force trauma to the chest. Forensic scientist Emma Durkin said there was no alcohol in Mr Lynch's blood and forensic scientist Keith Norman said Vernon had not drunk alcohol. The inquest heard workers on the site had safety inductions and were told where it was safe to walk. A Health and Safety Executive investigation was carried out into the accident but there have been no prosecutions.
Ian Jones
Ian, a council employee, became trapped at the Lamby Way landfill site in Cardiff. Emergency services were called to the site, which is owned by Cardiff City Council. Fire crews freed Ian and he was taken to hospital, where he later died from serious head injuries. The inquest was to be held held at Cardiff Coroner's Court.
Peter Deathe
The inquest was held at Cardiff Coroner's Court in July 2006. Peter's daughter Naomi told the coroner how the bull was spotted in a lane leading to the farmyard. She said she walked behind the animal towards an entrance to the farmyard, while her father stood in the middle of the lane ahead of the bull. Naomi told the inquest, 'The bull stopped and looked at the gateway which was wide open and then looked at dad. Instead of walking towards the gateway it ran towards dad. It just ran and hit him and he fell on the floor and the bull carried on running.' Cardiff Coroner Mary Hassell asked her, 'Why didn't he just jump out of the way?' Naomi replied, 'What usually happens if an animal runs at you, if you stand firm it will change its mind and go where you want it to.' She told the inquest how she ran to her father's side where he had landed about 'three to five metres' from where the bull hit him. 'He was still breathing and had his eyes open. I was talking to him for a bit but he didn't respond,' she said. An investigation was launched by the Health and Safety Executive who said Peter landed approximately 18m away from where the bull made impact - but the family disputed the fact. A post mortem examination showed Mr Deathe died from blunt head injuries consistent with a moving fall. The Coroner recorded a verdict of 'Accidental Death'. 'What I've heard is this was an extremely unfortunate event which took place in the course of a routine manoeuvre,' Ms Hassell said. A senior vet, Bob Stevenson, has urged farm workers to take extra care when dealing with livestock. After the inquest Mr Stevenson said of Peter's death, 'It's a reminder that we just can't take these animals for granted in any way.' The paramedics who took Peter to hospital described how they had to find a way past the angry bull to treat the farmer. One said the bull was 'openly aggressive and clearly saw us as a threat'. The incident was rare, Mr Stevenson said, but attacks of this kind still happened too frequently, and farmers needed to be on their guard. 'Bulls are just so unreliable,' said the vet, who is chairman of the Monmouthshire Rural Stress Network - an umbrella organisation of voluntary-sector groups set up to help rural families. 'In my 40 years of veterinary general practice, I have come across instances where farming folk and occasionally veterinarians are damaged by bulls. It's just one of these things that you have to be so conscious of, when you are near male animals. But you can't farm in certain circumstances without bulls. 'You can use artificial insemination, but in the more natural beef rearing type of herd, you need a bull. When it then comes to handling him, obviously everybody is very much aware that 'here comes the bull' and takes due caution.' Mr Stevenson said Mr Deathe had been a valued client of his veterinary practice for a number of years. 'He was a good, solid typical farming man with a small enterprise that he loved getting involved with. He loved his animals and was always with them,' he said.
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