Chris Hatton, 58, was underneath the Ford Transit van and changing a tyre when it came off a jack he was using and fell on his chest
A grandfather was crushed to death by his 2.3 tonne camper van as he made checks to the vehicle ahead of a holiday with his partner, an inquest has heard.
Chris Hatton, 58, was underneath the Ford Transit van and changing a tyre when it came off a jack he was using and fell on his chest.
The former engineer from Northwich, in Cheshire, was discovered by a postman and informed Mr Hatton’s neighbours, who then called the emergency services.
Firefighters freed Mr Hatton but he suffered fatal crush injuries and died ten days later in hospital.
An inquest in Crewe heard the tragedy occurred on April 11 as Mr Hatton, known as ‘Flash’, was making preparations to the van ahead of a camping holiday across the country with his 57-year-old partner Fiona Scoffham.
He was found by postman David Cook who began delivering to addresses around the area at 10am.
He said: ‘I went to the other houses past the camper van that was parked at the curb side but didn’t pay much attention.
‘The previous day I noticed the male in the van spraying the interior. As I was walking down the path I heard a dull thud and the man shouted. I looked around to see where the noise came from and could see the man was trapped under the camper van.
‘I could see legs sticking out from the front of the camper van. I could see his face and didn’t know who he was. I could see that the front passenger wheel had been removed.
‘I also noticed the car jack by the wheel hub. The jack was lying on its side. I couldn’t see anyone else around. I formed the opinion the jack had fallen, crushing the male. I ran to the houses, it was extremely distressing.
‘People started to come out running over to try and help. I noticed one woman who I believed was the wife. She was so distressed and was shouting his name “Flash”. I noticed a male had rung the emergency services and there was nothing more I could do.’
Mr Hatton, pictured with his daughter Stephanie, died ten days later in hospital after being crushed by the Ford Transit van
Dominic Johnson, the boyfriend of Mr Hatton’s daughter Stephanie, said: ‘I parked the car behind where Flash was working on the van, he was on the far side.
‘I went into the house and went upstairs, turned the bath on and sat on the bed.
‘Then I heard Fiona screaming from outside. It took me about three times to realise it was Fiona and go and have a look. Fiona waved me outside, the postman was around the area. Fiona was next to the camper van and Flash was underneath.
‘The postman found him and came and knocked on the door and got Fiona out. I saw him trapped underneath and told the lad next door to ring the emergency services and get the fire brigade and ambulance. When he was removed, he was unconscious.’
Mr Hatton had been making preparations to the van ahead of a camping holiday across the country with his 57-year-old partner Fiona Scoffham (pictured together)
Mr Hatton’s condition appeared to improve after he was given CPR but he deteriorated and was transferred to the trauma unit at Wythenshawe hospital in Greater Manchester where he later died.
PC Christopher Colligan of Cheshire Police who investigated the cause of the accident said: ‘It was the mechanical failure of the jack and the fact the jack was not suitable for the vehicle it was holding up. The motor camper van was a very heavy vehicle. It was mechanical error that led to and caused the injuries to Mr Hatton.’
Passing a conclusion of accidental death conclusion, Coroner Janet Napier, said: ‘This appeared a perfectly OK day – and then became complete hell. You see these things on films but don’t think it can ever happen to your loved ones.
The former engineer from Northwich, in Cheshire, was discovered by a postman and informed Mr Hatton’s neighbours, who then called the emergency services
‘Someone very quickly rushed over and luckily all the other people came and helped but this led to his death which was a complete disaster.
‘There didn’t appear to be any fault with that jack but it just was not stable enough and became dislodged which caused the damage. It must have been an agonising 10 days before he passed away.’
Following the inquest Mr Hatton’s family said in a statement: ‘Flash was always the “go to man” whenever anyone needed anything fixing and was truly well respected in the area. He had a huge amount of friends and he had a special place in his heart for all of them.
‘There’s a big hole in a lot of hearts right now and he will forever be missed and never forgotten.
‘As a family we would like to send huge appreciation to postman David Cook for playing a huge part in making Flash stand more of a chance of survival.’