A jury inquest into the death of a man who was crushed beneath a tree in Niton some 5 years ago got underway at the Isle of Wight Coroner’s Court today (Monday).
The inquest into the death of 42-year-old Paul Whitehouse, of The Glen in Niton, was first opened on 24th January 2020 following his death 4 days prior on 20th January.
On the day of Mr Whitehouse’s death, he and a local contractor were working at a woodland owned by Whitehouse’s parents where several trees needed topping. Paul, a former forester, was stationed at the bottom of the tree and the contractor at the top.
However, just seconds later, tragedy struck when he was hit and crushed by a falling section of timber.
The court heard how Mr Whitehouse’s father had previously called the pair a ‘perfect team’ whose work was ‘professional.’
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service was quickly called and a land ambulance was dispatched, but the severity of the incident prompted the scrambling of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) from its Thruxton base.
Having assessed Paul at the scene, a plan was formulated to take him to hospital via helicopter, however, this proved impossible when the door of the air ambulance fell off its rails, as exclusively revealed by Island Echo at the time.
Sadly, despite the best efforts of all those who treated him, Mr Whitehouse died on his way to St Mary’s Hospital. The official cause of death has been given as chest injuries.
The court heard how the Health and Safety Executive promptly started an investigation into Shane Geary of SG Garden & Tree Services, but he was cleared of any wrongdoing in October 2020.
Those present on the first day of the jury inquest heard how in October 2012, Paul Whitehouse was involved in a road traffic collision which left him with serious and life-changing injuries which affected his energy, gait, balance and personality. The then 34-year-old was unable to go back to work after the accident, having to call time on his professional career as a construction worker and forester – a career he greatly enjoyed.
Throughout the inquest, the first of its kind to take place on the Isle of Wight in some time, members of the jury will hear from numerous interested parties including the family of the the deceased, specialist medical professionals, Police and a representative from Babcock International – who own the helicopter leased by HIOWAA.
The first to be called to the witness box, Home Office registered Forensic Pathologist Dr Amanda Jeffery, explained the severity of the injuries sustained by Mr Whitehouse which included several rib fractures and tears to the liver.
At the time of the incident, Mr Whitehouse was not wearing a hard hat, but Dr Jeffery said that the outcome wouldn’t have changed had he been wearing one.
Dr Jeffery explained how there was nothing to suggest that the injuries sustained during the road traffic collision in 2012 were in any way a factor in how Mr Whitehouse came about his death on 20th January 2020, before concluding that the chances of anyone with such injuries surviving the accident were ‘very low’.
Issues arising during the COVID-19 pandemic and the creation of the new Coroner’s Court facility at Seaclose in Newport were cited at today’s inquest as reasons for the lengthy delay. HM Senior Coroner for the Isle of Wight, Caroline Sumeray, explained that inquests were delayed until a serious backlog of criminal cases was cleared.
The jury inquest – expected to last around 7 days – continues.
Inquests that will require a jury are those where the coroner has reason to suspect that:
A) The deceased died a violent or unnatural death in custody or state detention;
B) The death resulted from an act or omission of a police officer or member of a service police force in the purported execution of their duty; or
C) The death was caused by a notifiable accident, poisoning or disease.
To not wear a hard hat is shocking when carrying out such
work.
There are so many Mickey Mouse Companies operating on
the island with “NO” Health and Safety.
Look at all the scaffolding and Roofing
Companies that are operating on the island,
all the Numpty’s don’t wear Hard Hats.
No one on the island polices Health and Safety
where are Safety Inspectors thesedays!!
So sad.
Yes,. it was very sad,.. but did you not bother to actually read the article ??
“but Dr Jeffery said that the outcome wouldn’t have changed had he been wearing one.”
How would the Dr know 100%, it’s like
wearing or not wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle.
Depending on the type of accident it varies.
A late friend of my older brothers was involved
in a serious traffic accident on the mainland in the
1970s, had he been wearing his seat belt at the time
he would have died, he ended up surviving and lived
a long life.
Safety is important, too many people take short cuts.
I noticed tree surgeons working along Victoria Avenue
Shanklin yesterday, I am pleased to say they were all
wearing hard hats etc.
Unfortunately there are so many Cowboy Companies
on the Island.
Yee-haw
I am so pleased I am now retired.