Ammonia leak inquest opens

The inquest on an Oswestry man who died following an ammonia leak at a frozen food warehouse opened today.

Alan Golden died at the Warrington depot of Oswestry firm Cold Move on September 27, 2005. Mr Golden, 54, an engineer, of Holbache Road, Oswestry, had worked for the company for two years.

Following Mr Golden's death, a probe was launched to find the cause of the incident which led to the tragedy.

It happened at the cold store depot in Stone Cross Park, Golborne, near Warrington.

But Jennifer Leeming, Greater Manchester West coroner, told the hearing today: "The inquest is not a means of proportioning guilt or blame. We are here to attempt to establish the facts."

The inquest, with a jury sworn in to decide where, when and how he died, is being held at Bolton coroner's court and is expected to last until Thursday.

Members of Mr Golden's family were among those who made the journey to Bolton for the first day today.

Colleagues, solicitors representing the company and representatives of the Health and Safety Executive were also at the hearing.

Mr Golden was an engineer for Cold Move, which has its headquarters in Glovers Meadow, Maesbury Road Industrial Estate, Oswestry. The family-run business deals with temperature-controlled storage and distribution.

Warrington worker Phil Walsh, who risked his life to try to save Mr Golden by going back into the plant, has been awarded the silver bravery award by the Royal Humane Society.

Another Warrington man, John Washington, together with John Rowlinson, from Gobowen, received the Royal Humane Society's bronze award.

Workers had to leave the five-storey building shortly after the leak was discovered. As a precautionary measure a number of neighbouring businesses were evacuated and pupils at nearby schools were kept indoors.

Speaking in October 2005, Mr Golden's family said: "He was a wonderful husband, son, father and grandfather, someone we all loved and respected.

"Nothing was too much trouble for him, he was truly unique and totally irreplaceable."

By Suzanne Roberts