News

Pembroke Dock: Accidental death verdict following cherry picker fall

Published

10 years ago

March 27, 2015

AN INQUEST into the death of Stephen John Greenaway from Colport, who died after falling from a cherry picker at Mustang Marine in June 2013 was held at Milford Haven Town Hall on March 26.

Jeremy Davies, the coroner’s officer, said that Stephen had been fifty-years-old from Wolverhampton. He was a scout leader and was a healthy man, who was hardly ever ill. He worked for Advanced Door Engineering, where he installed doors and was a health and safety conductor. The company sub-contracted from Shufflebottom Steel Frame Buildings, based in Cross Hands. He had been working at Mustang Marine in Pembroke Dock, installing large doors. At approximately 8am on June 4, Stephen and his colleague, Ian Hinton, went up in a cherry picker, about 30m in the air. At one point, Stephen unclipped his harness in order to let his colleague pass him. Stephen attempted to move the cherry picker, but it swung and he fell to the ground. He was unconscious and airlifted to a hospital in Cardiff. He was pronounced dead at 10am.

David Ryan Morgan, who works as a health and safety manager for Shufflebottom said that he had seen Stephen unclipped from the cherry picker while in the air earlier in the morning, and he had said; “There is a line in the sand you do not want to cross, and you crossed it” He told him that it could not happen again. He left them and shortly after heard the sound of metal on metal. Assuming that something had dropped from the cherry picker, he ran back to where Stephen and Ian’s machinery was situated. Ian was in the cherry picker basket and Stephen’s body lay on the ground. He was wearing his safety harness, but David could not tell if Stephen had been clipped on to the cherry picker. At the end of his evidence, he said; “In my view, this unfortunate incident would not have happened if Steve had been clipped on.”

Stephen’s colleague, Ian Paul Hinton, who has worked for Advanced Door Energy for thirteen years, said that he had been staying at a Travelodge with Stephen and work was anticipated to be finished by the end of the week. This was the biggest job either of the men had undertaken. Stephen had been in control of the cherry picker on the day of his death. After thirty minutes of being in the cherry picker, Stephen unclipped himself for five minutes in order to allow Ian past him. The cherry picker would not turn left as it was caught on a chain, the basket spring and shot to the left with a flick. Stephen flung over the side, and Ian could not grab him. Ian expected to see Stephen hanging from his lanyard, but he had fallen to the ground. Stephen had undertaken a safety course two days before Ian.

Health and safety inspector, Hayley Healey confirmed that Stephen had not been clipped to the lanyard. Jamie Davies, who is also a health and safety inspector, said that there were no defects to the machine likely to have affected the accident.

A post mortem report confirmed that Stephen died of multiple injuries. Extensive head injuries meant that there was no considerable amount of survival time after the initial injury.

The coroner ruled that the death was accidental.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

10 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

18 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

18 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.