10.01.2008

Milton Keynes scaffold collapse inquest

The inquest into the scaffold collapse at the Jury’s Inn site in Milton Keynes in April 2006 is retracing events that led up to accident in which John Robinson, 49, died three days later from a blood clot. Home Office pathologist Dr Ken Shorrock said Robinson would not have died had he not been involved in the accident.

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The scaffold collapse in April 2006 cost John Robinson his life

City coroner Rodney Corner said that it is for the inquest to decide if strong winds played a part in the collapse of 15 storeys of scaffolding. Witnesses have spoken of 'horrendous' weather the day of the collapse with continuous rain and strong gusting winds.
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John Robinson

However further evidence suggests that a loading bay structure was removed the day before the collapse even though it was still needed.
Witnesses described how the moveable loading bay, designed to give access to heavy pallets of cladding tiles onto the upper levels of scaffolding, was taken down by North Notts Scaffolding on April 10 on the instruction of main contractor McAleer and Rush. Tiles had not yet been delivered to the 17th, 18th and 19th levels.

Previously two 1,200 kg pallets had been loaded onto the scaffolding every two days but the dismantling of the loading bay changed the working method.

Mr Weston, representing Mr Robinson's employer Lee Smith Carpentry Ltd, suggested that the loading bay was taken away early due to an appointment for utilities companies to connect the building to electricity and gas. They could not do this while the loading bay was still in place.

The inquest could last a further two weeks.