Nathan Brown died of electrocution, inquest is told

Nathan Brown‏

Apprentice electrician Nathan Brown, 19, was working with his father David, an experienced electrician, at Rochdale based sheet metal manufacturer Eurofabs UK Ltd, when he fell off a ladder and died after he was electrocuted by touching a set of exposed electrical bars powering a crane while testing lights, an inquest has heard.

The shock caused him to fall 12ft head first onto the roof of a toilet block below the crane. Nathan was air lifted to the Royal Blackburn hospital in a serious condition and died a short time later.

Nathan, an ex pupil of Whitworth High School, trained to be an electrician at Bury College so he could follow in his father's footsteps.

Forensic pathologist Philip Lumb told the inquest in Oldham heard he found burn marks consistent with electrocution on Nathan's arm. He said the cause of Nathan's death was electrocution and that he probably suffered a cardiac arrest before falling to the ground.

He said: "I gather Nathan was an apprentice electrician who was working for his father and contracted by a company called Eurofabs to conduct a complete electrical inspection.

"One of his duties was to inspect one part of the roof. In order to gain access, Nathan had to get on top of a toilet block and place a ladder against an electrical crane to access the platform where the lights were located.

"His father was working in the premises at the time. A short time late his father saw Nathan fall head first into the roof of the toilet block, about 12ft. He did not note any sounds of attempts to break his fall.

"He went to attend to him but found him in a collapsed condition, although his father said he may be able to feel a pulse."

In a statement Mr Brown, 50, who has been an electrician for 32 years, said that his son had joined him as an apprentice in September 2012 after embarking on a three-year training course, and had completed health and safety training a month before the fatal accident.

He said: "As an apprentice he was learning on the job and only ever allowed to complete basic tasks such as basic electrics, switches, sockets and lights.

"You would only ever allow Nathan to carry out work when safe for him to do so and work within capability, knowledge and competence.'

"As far as I am aware the busbar should have been marked up in a sleeve with the marking 'danger high voltage'. I have never come across a busbar not sleeved and marked with an appropriate sign.

"Had I been aware of the presence of the busbars in such unprotected conditions then I would not have continued to take this work. In all 32 years' experience with busbars I have seen them properly protected and never come across exposed busbars as present on the day of the accident.

"That was the worst and fastest day of my life. It's a blur but I can't get rid of some of those thoughts. The test he was doing would be as simple as plugging a TV into a wall.

"I'm completely devastated by the accident and life will never be the same again. He was the light of my life and my family and I will miss him so much. Time is a great healer and I hope that will be the case.'

The inquest continues.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/article/82367/nineteenyearold-nathan-brown-dies-after-falling-from-a-ladder

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