Man, 61, killed by truck after friend's funeral

Andrew Lodge's partner said life without him was "difficult to bear"

A popular environmental health officer died when he was crushed by a pick-up truck as he lay in the road, an inquest has heard.

Andrew Lodge was run over by a Mitsubishi Barbarian which was turning into a cul-de-sac in Oakworth, near Keighley, on the evening of 5 May 2022.

Mr Lodge, who was described by his long-term partner as her "rock", had been “heavily intoxicated” after he had been out drinking following a friend’s funeral, Bradford Coroner's Court was told.

The driver of the vehicle “could not have seen” 61-year-old Mr Lodge, who had lived in Keighley all his life, lying in the road, police investigators told the inquest.

The proceedings were told that Mr Lodge had been picked up by a taxi at a takeaway in nearby Haworth, which then dropped him off at the junction between Tim Lane and Denby Court at around 22:50 BST on the night of the incident.

Evidence from the taxi driver, read verbally to the court, told how Mr Lodge had repeatedly apologised to him for being drunk and that he been unable to "get his words out" when he was asked for his address.

Around 40 minutes later and lying across the road, he was fatally injured by the Mitsubishi Barbarian as it turned left into Denby Court.

Mr Lodge, a lifelong Everton supporter who had managed Bradford Council's pollution team, was pronounced dead at the scene after attempts to perform CPR failed.

Andrew Lodge was lying across the entrance of a cul-de-sac when the truck made contact with him

A forensic investigator told the inquest it could not be confirmed how Mr Lodge had come to be lying in the road, although it was suggested that the “poor” quality of the road surface may have caused him to trip. There was no evidence of any assault having taken place, it was said.

Giving evidence via video link, the driver of the truck told the court he had turned the corner at around 5mph and halted his vehicle as he felt his front wheels rear up.

It was said he got out of the vehicle and was "screaming" upon seeing Mr Lodge's body under the truck.

He told the inquest he carried the events of the night "with me every day".

Bradford Coroner's Court was told Mr Lodge would "never be forgotten"

Police said a reconstruction of the incident using the Mitsubishi led them to conclude the driver could not have seen Mr Lodge, who was also wearing dark clothes, lying in the road.

Assistant coroner Ian Pears recorded a formal conclusion that Mr Lodge's death had been as a result of a road traffic collision.

His partner of 16 years, Gillian Brooks, said that "life without Andrew is difficult to bear".

In a statement read out on her behalf to the court, she said: "He was my rock. I will never share a moment with him anymore - only in my head.

"His boss has told me how much they are missing Andrew's support and sense of fun at work too.

"Andrew touched the lives of many. He will never be forgotten."

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