Accidental Death Ruled for Man Who Fell into Bradford Manhole

A coroner has determined that a retired nurse passed away after an accidental fall, head first, into a manhole in Bradford during Storm Isha. An inquest revealed that a protective barrier surrounding the excavation, located on Highgate Road and created for utility works, had been dislodged by strong winds on 22 January, prior to 56-year-old Andrew Barker’s fall. The medical cause of death for Mr. Barker was documented as postural asphyxia and alcohol intoxication. Senior coroner Martin Fleming concluded that Mr. Barker, who resided at Highgate Mill Fold in Bradford, died accidentally. This ruling followed an inquest that concluded on 19 November at Bradford Coroner’s Court. Mr. Fleming stated, “although it is likely that he tripped and fell into the manhole, the circumstances of what precipitated this remain unclear”. The trench had been excavated as part of gas repairs. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue reported that personnel who responded to the incident “helped to free an individual who was sadly pronounced dead at the scene”.