Inquest Begins Into Tragic Death of Scaffolder Following Site Fall
A four-day inquest is currently underway in Stoke investigating the death of a Midlands father who passed away nine months after a serious fall at a Staffordshire construction site.
Carl Williams, aged 53 from Burton, was employed as a scaffolder on a Bloor Homes development when the incident occurred in February 2023.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The experienced scaffolder fell more than three metres while working at the site, sustaining multiple rib fractures and serious spinal injuries that ultimately led to his death in November 2023.
Mr. Williams remained at the Royal Stoke University Hospital until September 2023 before being transferred to Adderley Green Care Centre, where he died two months later.
Witness Testimony Reveals Harrowing Details
Daniel Sahadeo, who had worked with Carl Williams for approximately two years, provided testimony at the inquest describing the moment of the accident.
"I was sorting the fittings for the birdcage scaffold system when I turned round and saw him go over," Mr. Sahadeo stated. "He went head first over the edge, like diving into a pool."
The witness described seeing Mr. Williams holding onto scaffold bars with a hand on each post before falling, with a stillage container following him over the edge.
Safety Equipment Questions Raised
The inquest heard that the father-of-three had been wearing a harness at the time of the fall, but it was not secured to any structure.
Investigators discovered his harness clip was fastened to the rear of the harness instead of being properly attached to scaffolding, raising significant questions about safety protocols at the site.
Long-Term Consequences of Injuries
Medical evidence presented at the hearing indicated Mr. Williams died from complications resulting from a blunt force neck injury sustained during the fall.
Despite his extensive experience spanning over three decades in scaffolding, the accident proved fatal after months of medical treatment and rehabilitation efforts.
Risk Assessment Procedures Examined
The inquest revealed that Mr. Williams and Mr. Sahadeo had signed a risk assessment method statement detailing health and safety requirements on their first day at the Bloor Homes development.
Mr. Sahadeo praised his colleague's expertise, stating: "I learned a lot from Carl – he taught me a lot about scaffolding and he knew more about scaffolding than me."
The tragic case highlights ongoing concerns about construction site safety and proper equipment usage in the industry as the inquest continues its investigation into the circumstances surrounding this workplace death.
