Robbie Williamson

PFD Report Historic (No Identified Response) Ref: 2015-0105
Date of Report 12 March 2015
Coroner Richard Taylor
Coroner Area Lancashire (East)
Response Deadline ✓ from report 12 March 2015
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
Concerns exist regarding exposed, raised pipework, potentially attached to bridges, that is accessible to the public and may pose a safety risk.
View full coroner's concerns
(1) There may be exposed raised pipework for which you are responsible; either attached to bridges or otherwise, that is accessible to members of the public Lyndhurst House, 30 Todmorden Road, Burnley, Lancashire; BBLO 4AB Tel 01282 838356 Fax 01282 425041 The being The the they
Sent To
  • Association of Independent Gas Transporters
  • Northern Gas Network
  • Scotia Gas Network
  • Wales and West Utilities
Response Status
Linked responses 0 of 4
56-Day Deadline 12 Mar 2015
About PFD responses

Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.

Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 24/04/2014 commenced an investigation into the death of Robbie Mark Williamson then aged 11. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 04 March 2015. The conclusion of the inquest was Accidental death: On 22 April 2014 Robbie Mark Williamson fell from an exposed pipe into the canal medical cause of death drowning:
Circumstances of the Death
On the 22nd April 2014 Robbie was with two school friends when they dared each other to cross the canal by walking across an exposed cast iron gas pipe attached to the outside of a road bridge surface of the pipe was wet and slippery: There was no sign warning that there should be no access to the pipe. There were no obstacles to prevent access to the pipe. Robbie slipped whilst crossing and fell into the canal injuring himself on the canal bank as he did so. He was in the water a number of minutes before being pulled from the canal, where after he received medical treatment before being pronounced dead at Royal Blackburn Hospital the same day_ Joffered medical cause of death as; (a) Drowning Head injury National Grid accepted they were responsible for pipe line. Evidence was heard that they control approximately a quarter of pipelines countrywide. Their own database had shown that this pipe was under the pavement Since Robbie's death have made the pipe safe and also commenced an investigation into the safety of the piping they control.
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you have the power to take such action:
Related Inquiry Recommendations

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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.