 | Home > Off Topic > Brighouse enthusiast Robert Leech crushed under landrover |
 
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| Supacat Member Since: 16 Oct 2012 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 11018   
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"The findings were a stark warning to other hobby mechanics"
A dad of two was crushed to death while attempting to repair his car. Vehicle enthusiast Robert Leech, 46, was the victim of a freak accident involving his black Landrover Discovery Three, which dragged him down his sloping drive after he accidentally disengaged its braking system. An inquest at Huddersfield Magistrates Court found that Brighouse man Mr Leech, who lived on Huddersfield Road with his partner Sally Smith and daughter and son, had removed the prop shaft centre bearing from the car while working underneath it to try better the suspension. Mr Leech, a foster carer who had years of vehicle maintenance experience, did not realise that this would stop the electric gear system from functioning. Although the vehicle had been propped up on a trolley jack, no wheel chucks had been used to prevent it from slipping off. Police, ambulance and fire crews rushed to the private cul-de-sac entrance to his home after being called at 12.40pm on Augsut 15, but despite attempts to revive him he died later that day at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary from multiple injuries and suffered asphyxiation. The court heard that Mr Leech, who was described by coroner Oliver Longstaffe as a “conscientious” car enthusiast, had failed to heed safety warnings that were written on the jack and in his car’s manual. He also did not realise that the manual parking brake was not working efficiently enough. Robert Crispin, collision investigator for West Yorkshire Police, said Mr Leech had set the car to park mode and the handbrake was on. “From the marks on the drive, he had used the jack but all wheels were still on the ground and the car rolled back at least 6.2metres”, he said. “I carried out tests on the handbrake and found it was 15 per cent effective, just below the 16 per cent legal limit, and had not been maintained due to the excessive amount of rust found.” He said Mr Leech would have had no idea that it needed maintaining because the electrical brake system compensated for the manual brake when it was worn down, meaning no wear could be felt. “The jack shouldn’t have been used without additional support; he should have had chucks”, Mr Crispin said. “None of the safety advice or tools were used.” Mr Leech had taken his car two days earlier to Pennine 4 x 4 Ltd and bought the replacement prop shaft. Pennine director Mr Christopher Barnes said: “I carried out some work and made an invoice for work to the suspension at £600 but he said he couldn’t afford that and a friend would do it. Parts were missing and wires were hanging down. “The car didn’t seem to be in imminent danger.” In a tribute to Mr Leech read out in court, his partner Sally said: “He loved anything with an engine;he loved motor cross bikes and cars. “His other love was dogs and he had a lurcher called Bess. “He loved to be outside. “We miss him terribly.” Mr Longstaffe recorded a verdict of accidental death. “Despite what I have heard there is nothing to suggest that Mr Leech wasn’t conscientious.” http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorksh...h-10763216 |
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21st Jan 2016 11:36am |
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| g-mack Member Since: 07 Jan 2014 Location: northumberland Posts: 1967
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very sad. I always make a point to chock the wheels even for simple quick jobs like swapping a tyre. reason being, I watch my disco fall off a jack for no apparent reason!!!
 (obviously wasn't stable) I was about to climb under it too!!!! My 109 thread
my youtube channel |
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21st Jan 2016 11:47am |
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| jimbob7 Member Since: 06 Jul 2013 Location: uk Posts: 2055 |
I remember this,it's a sad reminder to people that it can happen to anyone at anytime. Pov.spec,ftw. 2006, 110,TD5.
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21st Jan 2016 12:12pm |
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| spudfan Member Since: 10 Sep 2007 Location: Co Donegal Posts: 4615 
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 1982 88" 2.25 diesel
1992 110 200tdi csw -Zikali 2008 110 2.4 tdci csw-Zulu 2011 110 2.4 tdci csw-Masai |
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21st Jan 2016 12:23pm |
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| shaggydog Member Since: 12 Aug 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 3347 
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Very Sad
Interesting what it was saying about the electronic handbrake system though 
I wander how many other discos have similar dodgy handbrakes? Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197 Self confessed mileage hunter  |
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21st Jan 2016 1:41pm |
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