Christopher George Barnes · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 26th April 2018 I opened an inquest into the death of Christopher George Barnes. The investigation concluded at the end of the Jury inquest on the 9th May 2019. The conclusion of the Jury was a short form conclusion of Accidental Death. The medical cause of death was 1A traumatic intra-cranial haemorrhage, 1B Fall from the load on the bed of the lorry.

Mr Barnes was a 69 year old lorry driver employed by a haulage contractor. On the 23rd April 2018 he was delivering doors in his curtained side HGV to a company in Fairford. Employees of this company unloaded the HGV. During this process Mr Barnes climbed up onto the bed of the lorry. He then climbed up onto the palletised load. Whilst attempting to untangle the straps which were used to secure the load he took a step back and fell from the lorry impacting with the concrete floor below. He fell approximately 2.3 metres. He was initially unconscious and was transferred by air ambulance to the regional specialist unit. CT investigations demonstrated that he had sustained significant head injuries. He underwent operative intervention. Post operatively his condition steadily deteriorated. He passed away as a result of his injuries at 22.05 hours on the 24th April 2018.

Whether consigness and consigners and their employees have sufficient understanding of the hazards and risks associated with working at height on a vehicle or vehicle trailer, and whether they ensure an appropriate level of safety and have in place sufficient control measures to satisfy their legal obligations.