Inquest opens into death of a beloved family man who died from electrocution burns

A FAMILY man who was devoted to his job and well respected by his colleagues died after being hit by 60,000 volts from an overhead power line, an inquest heard.

Steven Hill (43) was site manager at TK Lynskey in Wath, a waste firm, on August 22, 2020, when he was electrocuted by a shock from the cable around 9am.

He died three days later on August 25 at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, from electrocution burns.

At an jury inquest into the death, Mr Hill’s widow, Theresa provided a statement to the court about her “soul mate”, to whom she had been married to for 15 years. 

Mrs Hill (48), of Bolton upon Dearne said: “He was a very family-oriented person and we would spend time together as a family.

“He loved Sheffield Wednesday, Formula 1 and Moto GP — especially Valentino Rossi (Italian motorcycle racing champion) — which was something he shared with his stepson, Luke Hunt.

“Steven loved his job and worked 60 hours a week. 

“As a family, we have struggled to come to terms with losing Steve. 

“Steven was my best friend. He was my soulmate, he has left a huge void in my life. Our lives will never be the same.”

The inquest heard Mr Hill had been working on a waste mound at the site, which was estimated to be around 20ft high and said to be close to the overhead power line, in a loading shovel vehicle. 

Witnesses at the Manvers Royal Mail depot recalled power being cut across the site and hearing a “loud whirring noise” which had lasted for around seven seconds.

Sara Greaves, weighbridge manager at TK Lynskey Excavations, said power had gone out at the site and she had seen a “glimpse of flames” outside her cabin.

She said she had noticed Mr Hill was in difficulty and she had called for assistance on the company radio at 9am.

Staff at the site found Mr Hill’s body upside down on the mound and attempted to comfort him whilst emergency services surrounded the scene.

Benjamin Townsend, a Yorkshire Ambulance responder, administered first aid to Mr Hill and said he had been conscious but he was in a “considerable amount of pain” due to serious burns around his body.

Mr Hill was taken to Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, and later transferred to the burns unit at Pinderfields Hospital.

Mr Mohammed Unwar, consultant plastic and burns surgeon at Pinderfields, said Mr Hill had sustained 57 per cent burns to his body.

He added that despite best efforts, Mr Hill’s condition had deteriorated and he had died with family by his side.

Staff still working at TK Lynskey today shared accounts relating to changes which have been made at the site since Mr Hill’s death.

Michael Grimwood, formerly a picking line operative at TKL, said: “There are now height restriction posts and barriers which stop skips being placed in certain areas of the site and restrictions you can not go over. 

“These were not at the site before from my recollection.”

Evidence has been heard at the inquest regarding health and safety measures that were present at the time of Mr Hill’s death and changes that were made afterwards.

Det Con Rob Webster said the police and officials from the Health and Safety executive had undertaken an investigation into breaches of criminality at TK Lynskey. 

He added all staff at the site, including director Martin Lynksey, and witnesses from Royal Mail had been interviewed as part of an investigation into gross negligence and corporate manslaughter. 

However, Det Con Webster explained that the threshold to pursue criminal charges to the Crown Prosecution service had not been met.

The inquest is expected to continue until next Friday with representatives from Mr Hill’s family, TK Lynskey, Northern Powergrid and the Health and Safety executive present.