Inquest opened into builder's death (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Inquest opened into builder's death

9:04am Tuesday 26th June 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

Builder Tony Lockey was crushed against a wall while directing a colleague reversing a mechanical digger.

Wiltshire Coroner David Masters yesterday opened an inquest into the death of Mr Lockey, 48, of Pinehurst Road.

Mr Masters heard that the father-of-four was working at Red Oaks Primary School in Redhouse on Wednesday when it is believed he was crushed between his colleague's truck and the concrete wall of the school building.

The Health and Safety Executive is currently investigating the incident, including trying to establish whether the clutch on the digger could have failed.

The HSE is also examining footage filmed on the school's CCTV system.

Mr Masters heard that the HSE investigation could take several months and a full inquest would be heard in front of a jury to establish how Mr Lockey died.

Tony's brother Ivor Lockey, of Penhill, who also worked as a builder for sub-contractors John Laing said: "We haven't been told anything about a faulty clutch.

"We are still waiting for the coroner to release his body before we can make any funeral arrangements."

Mr Lockey, who had lived in Swindon all his life, was a popular figure in the community and had done building work at several schools in the town.

His heartbroken wife Mary-Ellen said last week her husband was a doting father to his four daughters Kelly-Marie, 25, Tara, 20, Jodie, 15, and Shannon, 12.

She said: "He was the only man in the house, but he wasn't in charge. They could all wrap him round their little fingers, but he loved it."

Three youngsters from Red Oaks are believed to have seen the accident in a cordoned-off area next to the school's playground in Redhouse Way.

North Swindon vicar Rev Mike Haslam spent a whole day at the school last week to help pupils come to terms with the tragedy.