Man died after falling into manhole - coroner

A retired nurse died after accidentally falling head first into a manhole in Bradford during Storm Isha, a coroner has ruled.

An inquest heard a protective barrier around the hole, which had been dug for utility works, on Highgate Road had been blown down by high winds on 22 January ahead of 56-year-old Andrew Barker falling in.

Mr Barker's medical cause of death was recorded as postural asphyxia and alcohol intoxication.

Senior coroner Martin Fleming ruled Mr Barker, of Highgate Mill Fold in Bradford, died accidentally following an inquest which concluded on 19 November at Bradford Coroner's Court.

Mr Fleming said "although it is likely that he tripped and fell into the manhole, the circumstances of what precipitated this remain unclear".

The trench had been dug during gas repairs and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said crew members who attended the scene had "helped to free an individual who was sadly pronounced dead at the scene".

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