Inquest finally held for Moneymore fall victim
Thursday, 24 July 2008
THE jury at a Coroner's inquest into the death of a Moneymore land steward has unanimously decided the cause of death was drowning.
The jury at the inquest, which took place on Tuesday, (July 22), at Dungannon Courthouse believe the drowning occurred after the late Mr Laurence Regal Smyth of Carncose Road, Moneymore, fell through the roof of a well-house he was working on into water and incurred head and chest injuries.
The fatal accident occurred on May 1 2006.
The inquest, which was heard before Coroner Mr B Sherrard, consisted of evidence from a number of individuals including the deceased's brother, Gordon Smyth, friends and neighbours who helped at the scene, a Police Constable, a Health and Safety Executive Inspector and the Pathologist who carried out the autopsy.
Legal representatives were present with both Mrs Sandra Smyth, wife of the deceased, and the Earl Castle-Stuart, owner of the estate.
Mr Smyth, who was 43 at the time of his death, and had been married for 21 years, had worked as a land steward on the Stewart Hall Estate on the Mountjoy Road, Stewartstown for over 20 years, according to his brother; who had also been employed there as a labourer for seven years.
It was Mr Smyth who was first to give evidence to the jury. He explained that both men had been carrying out work to the roof of a well house on the Stewart Estate when the accident occurred. It was his understanding that repair was being carried out following instructions from the Earl Castle-Stuart to do so. He and his brother had actually been working on the roof for two weeks previous to the accident and on the day in question Laurence was on the roof with a broom sweeping away debris such as leaves and branches when he tragically fell through it.
According to Gordon Smyth, who had been instructed not to get on the roof by his brother due to safety fears, at approximately 9.55am his brother told him to go put the kettle on. When his brother had not joined him for tea 10 minutes later, Gordon was concerned and returned to the well house to see if everything was alright. It was then he noticed a new hole in the roof, and he saw his brother Laurence "lying face down with his arms outstretched."
Gordon told the court how he then ran to neighbour Andrew Taggart's house for help, that an ambulance was called and a major group effort to save Laurence's life began.
The struggle to rescue Mr Smyth saw Mr Taggart, along with friend Samuel Newell, and his son Andrew, both of whom also give evidence at the inquest, "do all in their power" to save Laurence.
According to statements given by all three men, they were unable to get to Laurence as the door to the well was locked.
The men eventually had to break the lock on the door and Andrew Newell eventually lowered himself into the freezing water on a rope in an attempt to pull Mr Smyth out. With the aid of a spade, which Mr Newell hooked under Laurence's arm, he was finally able to drag Laurence to the side of the well.
According to the three men, they immediately put Mr Smyth into the recovery position but feared it was too late as he was lifeless, had no pulse and there was no water coming out of his mouth. At this point the men also noticed the extensive injuries Mr Smyth had received as a result of his fall, notably a large gash to the left side of his head and his left ear was sliced open.
