News

Pembroke Dock: Accidental death verdict following cherry picker fall

Published

11 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.

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

3 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

3 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.