Brian Tuddenham: Family criticises jury's ruling on forklift death

Brian Tuddenham (L) and his family, who said he was "hardworking, kind, funny and loving"

The family of a man who died after a forklift truck rolled into him has said a jury failed to explain the cause of the accident.

Brian Tuddenham's forklift truck trapped him on an HGV loading ramp at International Rubber and Tyre Recycling Ltd in Carlisle in February 2021.

On Monday a jury inquest ruled it was accidental but that they believed the vehicle was defective.

The family said the jury had "failed to provide answers on significant points".

Mr Tuddenham, who was from Carlisle, had been preparing to load rubber on to a lorry in Kingmoor.

The inquest heard he got out of the forklift truck to work on the ramp but the vehicle rolled across the yard and struck him from behind.

He died from the impact, the jury at Cumbria House heard.

The jury at Cumbria House ruled Brian Tuddenham's death was accidental

Asked by Cumbria's assistant coroner, Craig Smith, if they believed Mr Tuddenham had failed to engage the handbrake before he got out of the vehicle, the jury foreman said "yes".

However, they also said they believed that the vehicle was defective, which was identified by an investigation after the accident.

Health and safety inspectors had found a defective handbrake cable, as well as issues with an accelerator switch.

Mr Tuddenham's family said they wanted to thank the coroner and the coroner's court but added that they found it "disappointing that after over two-and-a-half years the jury [was] unable to provide clarity".

The family added that "we still do not know whether the defective accelerator switch found on the forklift truck contributed to the accident".

They explained they were "left without a definitive answer as to what cost him his life".

Solicitor Kerry Gillespie of Hudgell Solicitors described Mr Tuddenham's death as "extremely tragic for his wife and sons".

"This case highlights the very serious issue of ensuring proper checks and maintenance of machinery and equipment are carried out at work," she said.

In a tribute to Mr Tuddenham, his family described him as a "hardworking, kind, funny and loving man who was loved by all who knew him".