Wife hopes inquest will answer questions over Bridgnorth engineer's death
The wife of an engineer from Bridgnorth who died in a gas leak at a Carlsberg factory has said she hopes her family will get answers over his death at an inquest.
David Chandler, 45, was working at the brewery firm’s site in Northampton in November, 2016, when he was exposed to ammonia.
His inquest will take place over nine days at Northampton Coroner’s Court on June 19.
Mr Chandler was married to Laura, 33. They had two daughters, Ava, seven, and four-year-old Isabella.
Mrs Chandler said the family had been left devastated at the loss of a man “who would do anything for his family”.
She said: “There’s not a day goes by that we don’t miss David. He was such a loving and caring husband and dad who would do anything for his family.
“Our family always did everything together and we have been left devastated and angry by David’s death.
“While time has moved on since David’s death our family hasn’t. Our family is now incomplete and we have had to spend family birthdays and what should be other special occasions such as Christmas, not knowing the full reasons why he died.
“The only comfort I can now take is, that after more than a year, we will get to find out more about the events of the day and the circumstances surrounding David’s death. I know the inquest will be a distressing time but hopefully it will mean that at least we can try and move on with life the best we can.”
Investigate
Following her husband’s death Mrs Chandler instructed workplace injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Hilary Wetherell, partner and specialist workplace injury lawyer at the firm said they hoped that the inquest would provide the answers the family are seeking.
She said: “While it is only correct that a thorough investigation to establish all the facts about what happened on the day David died needed to take place, not knowing the full picture has caused a great deal of anguish for Laura and her family as they attempted to try and come to terms with David’s death.
“The family rightly have a number of serious concerns about what happened on the day in question and if anything could have been done to prevent the incident. Setting a date for the inquest is a major step forward in their wish to find out the vital information they want.”
David, who was employed by Speedrite, was helping to remove a dormant compressor unit at the brewery.
He was pronounced dead just under two hours after the leak.
Emergency services were called to the brewery in Northampton town centre just after lunchtime on November 10, 2016, following reports of an industrial accident.
A total of 22 people, including 11 staff, two police officers and nine firefighters were all taken to hospital following the incident.
