Trucker Killed in Lorry Cab Accident
A trucker lost his life when a lorry cab he was delivering detached from his vehicle and rolled onto him, an inquest revealed.
Thomas Paul Holton Willis was discovered pinned beneath the cab in the yard of lorry dealer PD Services, located in Alltami, Flintshire, on 2 August 2022.
The 29-year-old from Honiton, east Devon, was found shortly after 06:00 BST by site manager Paul Porter.
Porter had left Willis to retrieve a truck and winch to assist with unloading the cargo from the trailer. Upon returning minutes later, he observed that one of the tractor units had come off the trailer.
A post-mortem examination determined that Willis died quickly from being crushed by the cab, which dragged him approximately 16 metres. The cause of death was recorded as crush asphyxia.
Site Manager's Account
Porter provided testimony at Ruthin Coroner's Court:
"When I left him he was standing at the back doing something with the ramps."
He found Willis underneath the unit, which had rolled between 30 to 40 feet (9.1-12.1 meters) and came to rest halfway down a bank.
"I went to him, but there was no response. I called 999... it all happened so fast."
Porter stated that nothing similar had occurred before and added:
"It broke my heart... I go over it every day."
Personal Details and Family Statements
Willis, who had a young son, was engaged and due to marry the following year.
During the court proceedings, his father, Paul Willis, reviewed photographs and suggested that some straps securing the cab to his son's vehicle may have come undone spontaneously.
He emphasized that there was no issue with how the lorry cabs were secured for the journey from Devon to north Wales.
"He would have jumped out on arrival and taken off the straps he didn't need... and left a few straps on to drive from gate to the yard."
Paul Willis described his son as a positive and enthusiastic individual full of ideas.
The family were involved in showing shire horses, a passion shared by Thomas.
The last time the family was together was at a horse show the Saturday before the accident, the court heard.
"That is how I want to remember him," Willis' father said.
Inquest Conclusion
A jury at Ruthin Coroner's Court concluded on Tuesday that Willis died due to "a combination of factors" which caused the unit to roll off the trailer.
