Deaths in 2002 Click on the names below for further case details
FURTHER DETAILS OF DEATHS Michael Allen
Michael, an agriculture worker, fell while working on a tractor at Mereworth. The inquest was held at Mid Kent and Midway Coroners Court on 2 October 2002. An verdict of 'Death by Misadventure' was recorded. Joanne Swain
Joanne, a commuter on the late night Connex service from London to Canterbury West, fell from the train near Paddock Wood station. Her body was discovered next to the tracks two stations from her destination. The accident is attributed to the fact that the train had slam doors which could be opened by passengers on a moving train. A police investigation into Joanne's death concluded that she may have opened the train door thinking she had arrived at her station The inquest was held at North Wet Kent Coroners Court on 8 October 2002. An 'Open' verdict was recorded. Government guidelines demanded the replacement of all slam door trains by 2004. Mr Swain, Joanne's father, said, 'The fact is my daughter would not have died if she had been travelling on a sliding door train because she wouldn't have been able to open the door. It's incredible that Connex has slide door trains sitting at Ashford but no one has the technology to get them moving. Given the record of accidents involving slam door trains, getting rid of them should be a priority. The rail industry needs to get its finger out.' David Mortlock
David, the co-owner of Chaucer Contracting a property developer firm building a series of houses for Antler Homes Ltd, was killed when struck by the bucket of a swinging crane. West Kent Police were called to the scene and immediately opened their own enquiries in conjunction with the HSE. The inquest was held at North West Kent Coroners Court on 26 March 2002. A verdict of 'Accidental Death' was recorded. Robert Orpin
Robert, a self-employed farmer, was holding open the doors of a barn when the wind caught them and blew them onto his head killing him. The inquest was held at Ashford and Shepway Coroners Court on 17 September 2002. A verdict of 'Accidental Death' was returned. Richard King
Richard, a driver's mate in a refuse collecting truck, was killed when a tree crashed onto the truck as it was parked in a lay-by. He and his colleague were taking a break after working overnight. It is not clear what caused the tree to fall but emergency services were called to the vicinity of the incident during strong winds. Leading firefighter Gavin Millen said, 'We think the dead man was asleep inside the cab. Unfortunately the lorry was parked right in line with where the tree fell.' The inquest was held at North West Kent Coroners Court on 11 September 2003 when an 'Accidental Death' verdict was returned. In June 2005 a judge ruled that Sevenoaks District and Kent County Councils could not be held criminally liable for Richard's manslaughter. David Ashby
David, a pensioner, was killed when a refuse cart reversed into him. The inquest was held at North West Kent Coroners Court on 22 November 2002. A verdict of 'Accidental Death' was recorded. David Pike
David, a partner in a crane-hire company, was killed while moving a 9.5 ton boat which fell on him. The inquest was held at North West Kent Coroners Court on 26 March 2003. A verdict of 'Accidental Death' was returned. Richard Joyce
Richard, a plant mechanic working for a construction firm, was fatally injured having got his head wedged while carrying out maintenance on a forklift truck. He became trapped between the mast and roll-over protection structure of a Hyster fork lift truck. He was freed and revived by paramedics but died later in hospital. A post-mortem on the deceased found the case of death to be cerebral anoxia, a lack of oxygen to the brain, as a result of the crush injury to the brain. The inquest was held at North-West Kent Coroners Court in October 2003 when an 'Accidental Death' verdict was returned. In January 2004Richard's employers the Westerham based construction company R Durtnell & Sons Ltd was fined £18,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,600 costs at Sevenoaks Magistrates Court for breaching health and safety legislation. Principal
HM Inspector, Heather Bryant commented, 'This prosecution highlights the
need for companies to ensure that employees fellow safe systems of work
including isolating machinery before carrying out repairs. Failure to
do so often results in tragic accidents such as this one. Companies must
carry out suitable risk assessments and inform, instruct and monitor employees
to ensure that they are working safely.'
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