The North East | Archive | 2003 | November | 8
From the Northern Echo, first published Saturday 8th Nov 2003.
A FATHER-OF-TWO, who died after falling into a storage silo at a chipboard plant, was missing for several hours before his body was found, an inquest heard yesterday.
The family of 56-year-old Brian Allinson are considering taking civil action against the insurers of Vertex Panel Products, which has since ceased operating.
A series of potential hazards may have contributed to the Mr Allinson's death at the factory in Shildon, County Durham, the coroner was told.
Mr Allinson, of Broom Road, Ferryhill, told workmates that he intended to check the level of woodchips in the silo from a raised walkway when he was last seen at 10.45am, on July 29 last year.
When he failed to return, it was assumed he had left the site, but a search was begun when it was realised his car was still in the car park and that he had not clocked out. His body was found at 2.30pm.
Workmates Paul Matthews and Colin Paylor told the Bishop Auckland inquest that the observation walkway did not have a safety rail and that workers sometimes had to duck down to avoid the sloping roof and low beams.
Vertex bought the plant in February last year from Darlington Football Club chairman George Reynolds, but fell into receivership last December and went into liquidation a fortnight ago.
Terry Roxby, works manager at the time of the accident, said that health and safety advisor David Wild had improved safety on the site but that the accident had highlighted further risks which had been acted upon.
Health and Safety Executive inspector David Bell said: "It seemed health and safety systems were in place but that some were probably not being fully observed."
Consultant pathologist Dr Clive Bloxom initially thought Mr Allinson had died from multiple injuries but yesterday said the primary cause of death was asphyxiation due to being buried under the woodchips.
He said: "I made a site visit and the bunker was far bigger than I had anticipated, I think there would have been so much wood chipping in the bunker when he entered it he would not be able to breathe."
Dr Bloxom said that it was impossible to say whether he had hit his head before falling.
A jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008