Lorry driver electrocuted after vehicle hit overhead power line

A driver of a tipper lorry was electrocuted after part of his vehicle hit an overhead power line, an inquest has heard.

Andy Lloyd, 56, who ran a family business, was delivering a load of hardcore to a farm with his 14-year-old son when the grab arm on his truck came into contact with the 11,000-volt overhead cables.

Ruthin Coroner's Court heard Lloyd, from Bod Elian, Llanelian in Conwy, climbed down from the cab and was electrocuted when he came into contact with the metal step.

He was pronounced dead at the scene in Tan y Dderwen Farm in Betws-yn-Rhos, Conwy on 1 May - less than a month before he was due to get married.

The inquest heard that Lloyd's son, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had joined his dad in the lorry that day to gain work experience.

Senior coroner John Gittins for North Wales East and Central read from the teenager's statement.

He said his dad had moved the lorry closer to where contractors were erecting a shed to tip the load when the grab arm hit the power line.

The court heard the teenager had tried to tell his dad, but Lloyd had already exited the cab.

Contractors who witnessed the incident described seeing flames coming from the rear tyres of the lorry and Lloyd's boots before he collapsed.

One of the men then noticed the teenager in the lorry and helped him exit safely.

Another performed CPR on Lloyd while the third called an ambulance.

The inquest heard that Devon Locke, a Scottish Power engineer, had been dispatched to the area to investigate after the supply had been tripped.

When he saw the emergency vehicles at the farm he learned what had happened and saw the lorry was still in contact with the cables running above the field.

Although the power had been tripped plans were made to make the line safe.

The coroner concluded that Lloyd died as a result of an accident and offered his condolences to his family.

Lloyd's partner, Hayley Lloyd, said in her statement that his "last moments were spent in his truck with his son beside him" and that he "cared quietly but fiercely for those around him."