Fatal work incident an accident

Inquest told worker crushed by sewage tank

A fatal incident, in which a replacement sewerage tank collapsed onto a worker in Kirk Michael, was an accident.

Fifty-five-year-old mechanical engineer Charles Gareth Sowden, of Castlemona Avenue in Douglas, died from crushing injuries after a two-and-a-half tonne fibre-glass sheet toppled on top him in May 2013.

Island construction firm Tuke and Bell Ltd was ordered to pay a £30,000 fine after the incident. It admitted failing to discharge its duty in relation to health and safety over Mr Sowden's death.

Today an inquest found the cause to be a consequence of an unforeseen occurrence - and a verdict of accidental death was returned by Coroner of Inquests John Needham.