A 56-year-old tipper lorry driver was fatally electrocuted after the grab arm on his vehicle made contact with an 11,000-volt overhead power line while he was delivering a load to a farm in North Wales, an inquest has concluded. Andy Lloyd, who operated a family business, was working alongside his 14-year-old son when the incident occurred on 1 May at Tan y Dderwen Farm in Betws-yn-Rhos, Conwy. According to BBC News, the coroner ruled that Lloyd died as a result of an accident.
Lloyd, from Bod Elian, Llanelian in Conwy, had positioned the lorry closer to where contractors were constructing a shed to discharge the load when the grab arm struck the power cables. After the contact occurred, Lloyd descended from the cab and was electrocuted upon touching the metal step of the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene less than a month before his planned wedding.
Ruthin Coroner's Court heard testimony that Lloyd's son, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had accompanied his father in the lorry that day to gain work experience. Senior coroner John Gittins for North Wales East and Central reviewed the teenager's statement, which indicated the boy had attempted to alert his father to the danger, but Lloyd had already exited the cab by that point.
Witnesses at the farm, who were contractors present during the incident, reported observing flames emanating from the rear tyres of the lorry and from Lloyd's boots before he collapsed. One of the contractors noticed the teenager still in the vehicle and assisted him in exiting safely. A second contractor administered CPR to Lloyd while a third contacted emergency services.
Devon Locke, an engineer employed by Scottish Power, had been sent to the location after the electrical supply was automatically tripped by the contact. Upon arriving and observing the emergency vehicles at the farm, he learned of the fatality and identified that the lorry remained in contact with the overhead cables. Although the power supply had been interrupted, measures were implemented to render the line safe.
Safety guidance and risk factors
The incident highlights established safety protocols that apply to vehicles in contact with overhead lines. Health and Safety Executive guidance specifies that a vehicle making contact with an overhead line should remain occupied; if escape becomes necessary due to fire risk, the driver should jump clear of the vehicle rather than climb down, as lines may be re-energised automatically after an initial power trip. This guidance underscores the critical importance of understanding the hazards posed by such contact.
Tipper vehicles present particular risks in proximity to overhead power lines. The HSE identifies tipper equipment as high-risk near overhead lines and advises that work in such areas requires careful planning, verification of line locations along access routes, and consultation with the line owner regarding appropriate precautions. Agricultural work involving overhead power lines remains a significant cause of workplace fatalities. The HSE reports that an average of two people are killed each year in agricultural work involving contact with overhead power lines, with many more sustaining injuries.
Family tributes and impact
Lloyd's partner, Hayley Lloyd, provided a statement to the inquest describing his character and their relationship. She reflected that his "last moments were spent in his truck with his son beside him" and emphasised that he "cared quietly but fiercely for those around him." Senior coroner Gittins extended his formal condolences to Lloyd's family following the conclusion of the inquest.
The incident occurred during what should have been a routine work day for Lloyd and his son, transforming a work experience opportunity into a tragedy. The teenager's presence at the scene and his attempts to warn his father, combined with the swift response of the contractors and emergency services, form part of the tragic circumstances documented in the inquest proceedings.
