Teenager died after 50ft roof fall on night out

A teenager died after falling more than 50ft (15m) from a roof after a night out, an inquest has heard.

Harry Calam fell to his death after he and two friends clambered over a fence at a construction site in Daveygate, York, on 24 June, and scaled a scaffolding tower to reach the rooftop.

The inquest heard the 19-year-old had fallen to the floor after hopping off one ledge thinking there was a lower rooftop below.

Assistant Coroner Alison Norton recorded a conclusion of death by misadventure.

In a statement read to the inquest his mother, Eileen Calam, said her son had a love of the outdoors and adventure.

She said he had been "very happy" and was enjoying making new friends.

The inquest heard Mr Calam had been out drinking in the city after he finished his shift at Kennedy's bar on Little Stonegate.

After leaving the last bar at about 04:00 BST, Mr Calam and two friends climbed a fence to enter a construction site on Daveygate.

At about 04:30 BST, he fell to the pavement beneath on Little Stonegate.

He died from a traumatic brain injury shortly after, when paramedics were unable to resuscitate him at the scene.

The inquest heard a statement from Alfred Miller, who had worked with Mr Calam for nine months prior to his death.

He said as they walked up Daveygate with their other friend, David Goldstein, he had needed to urinate.

Mr Miller said he had previously climbed this particular construction fence for this reason and encouraged Mr Calam and Mr Goldstein to join him to observe the "cool view".

They climbed the scaffolding stairs and explored the shared rooftop of retail units, hopping over ledges onto different heights.

After 15 minutes on the roof, he said he saw Mr Calam swing his legs over a ledge and drop to the floor beneath.

Mr Miller and Mr Goldstein went down to the street to help and called an ambulance, but were later informed Mr Calam had died.

A statement from Det Sgt Dodson said police had investigated the health and safety of the construction site.

He said the scaffolding tower had been a solid structure with a staircase, the entrance had been fenced off from the public with clear signage and there were appropriate safety railings on the part of the roof being worked on.

Dt Sgt Dodson found there had been "no suspicious circumstances or third party involvement".

After reaching her conclusion, Ms Norton expressed her sincere condolences to Mr Calam's friends and family.

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