A UK energy company today admitted failing to maintain power lines following the death of a 20-year-old Shropshire man after he was struck by a power cable which came loose in high winds.

Simon Lines, of Prees, was standing on the A49 Whitchurch Road on January 2, 2007 warning motorists of the sagging cable when a lorry knocked it to the ground.

It was hit by another vehicle and whipped round the head of Mr Lines. He died a few days later in hospital.

Representatives of Scottish Power UK Ltd, responsible for the cable, appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court today.

The company admitted that on or before January 2, 2007, it failed, so far as reasonably practicable, to maintain its electrical system, including its connection to Holly House, near Prees, Whitchurch, so as to prevent danger to members of the public, including Simon Vincent Lines.

An inquest on Mr Lines, held in November 2007, heard the fitting used to attach the wire across the A49, which was about 28 years old, had rotted and split.

Judge Robin Onions told the court today that the case “illustrated the fragility of life” and said he did not believe anyone could have predicted that the sagging cable would be hit by a lorry, then hit by a car and then whip up and hit Mr Lines.

Judge Onions said he believed it was likely a vehicle would hit the cable, but after that there were unforeseen circumstances.

He said: “I don’t think the guidelines ever envisaged this type of case. I am not sure anyone could say this death was foreseeable from the original fault.”

But Mr Adam Farrer, prosecuting, said the chain of events which led to Mr Lines’ death would not have been started but for the original fault.

Mr Stuart Denney, for Scottish Power, said there were “unforeseen and unforeseeable” elements that need to be taken into account when assessing the penalty in this case.

Mr Lines’s parents were in court for today’s hearing.

The hearing continues.

By Rhea Alton