Inquest hears lorry driver electrocuted after truck hit power lines

An inquest at Ruthin Coroner's Court has heard that a tipper lorry driver was electrocuted after part of his vehicle made contact with an overhead power line.

The Incident

Andy Lloyd, 56, of Bod Elian, Llanelian in Conwy, was delivering a load of hardcore to Tan y Dderwen Farm in Betws-yn-Rhos, Conwy, when the incident occurred. He was accompanied by his 14-year-old son, who cannot be named for legal reasons, who had joined him to gain work experience.

According to statements read by Senior coroner John Gittins for North Wales East and Central, Lloyd had moved the lorry closer to a site where contractors were erecting a shed to tip the load. During this process, the grab arm on the truck came into contact with 11,000-volt overhead cables. The court heard that Lloyd's son had attempted to warn his father, but Lloyd had already exited the cab.

Upon exiting the vehicle, Lloyd came into contact with the metal step and was electrocuted. Witnesses, including contractors on the scene, described seeing flames coming from Lloyd's boots and the rear tyres of the lorry before he collapsed. One contractor reported, “I shouted for him to stop; I was about 20 metres away. I saw the tyre was burning.”

Emergency Response

Following the collapse, contractors assisted at the scene. One man helped the teenager exit the lorry safely, another performed CPR on Lloyd, and a third called for an ambulance. Paramedics arrived "in a matter of minutes."

Devon Locke, a Scottish Power engineer, was dispatched to the area to investigate after the power supply had been tripped. Upon arriving, Locke observed emergency vehicles at the farm and learned of the accident. He noted that while the power had tripped, the line was "off but not isolated," and the lorry remained in contact with the cables running above the field. Plans were subsequently made to make the line safe.

Background and Conclusion

Pathologist Dr Mark Atkinson confirmed that the cause of death for Mr Lloyd was electrocution. He was pronounced dead at the scene on 1 May. The inquest heard that Lloyd was due to marry his partner, Hayley Lloyd, on May 29, 2025.

Lloyd was the owner of a family business, AWL Contractors Ltd, which he started after purchasing his first digger more than 20 years ago. In a statement, Hayley Lloyd said her partner "cared quietly but fiercely for those around him" and noted that his "last moments were spent in his truck with his son beside him."

Senior coroner John Gittins concluded that Lloyd died as a result of an accident and offered condolences to his family.

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Sources

• bbc.co.uk: Lorry driver electrocuted after vehicle hit overhead power line - BBC News
• denbighshirefreepress.co.uk: Business owner died after truck arm hit overhead cables | Denbighshire Free Press
• bbc.com: Lorry driver electrocuted after vehicle hit overhead power line

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.