Tata Steel contractor pinned down by quad bike crush - inquest

Adam Llewellyn was using a quad bike to spray weed killer

An inquest into the death of Tata Steel contractor has heard he was pinned down by a quad bike whilst working at a reservoir.

Adam Llewellyn, 41 from Bridgend, died at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, Port Talbot, on 5 September 2019.

The jury at Swansea Coroner's Court heard that he was using a quad bike to spray weed killer around the reservoir.

He was working on behalf of Darlow Lloyd and Sons for Tata Steel that day.

Following a post mortem exam, a pathologist said the preliminary cause of death was traumatic asphyxia, suggesting there was pressure on the chest.

The Health and Safety Executive and South Wales Police has been investigating.

On the first day of the inquest, the jury heard that Mr Llewellyn had been a farmer and had worked as an agricultural engineer in partnership with his father for many years.

Mr Llewellyn had also been doing contractual work outside of the business, including hedge cutting and spraying, including for Darlow Lloyd and Sons.

Adam Llewellyn died at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, Port Talbot

His father said he was experienced in using a quad bike for spraying work, and that he expected his son to operate the equipment carefully, such as on the day of his death.

Assistant Coroner Edward Ramsay told the jury that Mr Llewellyn had been found near the reservoir by a colleague.

Emergency services attended but Mr Llewellyn was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement read on his behalf, Mr Llewellyn's father described the circumstances surrounding his son's death as "a tragedy".

"I don't know why the accident occurred. Accidents do occur," he said.

"It has caused such grief and pain."

Adam Llewellyn's wife said he was a dedicated farmer and family man.

"Adam touched so many people's lives," Mrs Llewelyn said.

"Adam was always ready to help anyone, in any way he could.

"He was a proud man, proud of his family, his work, and all he achieved."

Tractor replacement

Jonathan Thomas, a department manager from Darlow Lloyd and Sons, told the jury a tractor should have been used for the job, not a quad bike, based on their risk assessment which was reviewed by Tata Steel.

Mr Thomas said he received a call from Mr Llewellyn that morning informing him that he would be late to the job because the tractor had a puncture.

Mr Thomas said he assumed that Mr Llewellyn had the tractor repaired before going to the reservoir.

He confirmed he did not know that Mr Llewellyn had been using a quad bike.

This could have been picked up by a banksman who was supervising Mr Llewellyn, who also worked for Darlows Lloyd and Sons, said Mr Thomas.

The court heard from the supervisor on the day, Stewart Jones, who said he only learned that Mr Llewellyn would use the quad bike when he saw him at the reservoir.

He confirmed he knew that Mr Llewellyn should not have been using a quad bike.

Mr Jones said he did question "whether to let him use it or not" but he said he trusted Mr Llewellyn's judgement and experience.

Mr Jones said he did not see Mr Llewellyn again that day, as he assisted on other jobs in the steelworks, but he tried to contact him through phone calls toward the end of the afternoon.

Mr Jones said he couldn't get hold of Mr Llewellyn so he went back to the location some hours later, and saw a quad upside down on the bank, and Mr Llewellyn under it.

He said he phoned 999, pushed the bike uphill, pulled Mr Llewellyn on to flat ground and started CPR before the paramedics took over.

The inquest continues.