09 February 2023 , 17:50
399
0
A man was crushed to death by a pop-up urinal he was working on when it "fell quite suddenly", an inquest heard.
Kevin Holding, 60, died after becoming trapped under a telescopic urinal in London on Friday.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and an air ambulance landed in nearby Trafalgar Square in efforts to help the dad-of-three.
But sadly Mr Holding, from Beckenham southeast London, who lived with his partner, was pronounced dead at 3.40pm, more than two hours after becoming trapped and he was identified by his Oyster card.
A post-mortem examination noted the cause of death as compression asphyxia.
Mum's heartbreak as 'best pal' daughter dies days after 'boozy birthday lunch'
A remote inquest into the death of Mr Holding at West London Coroners Court heard that while paramedics arrived at 1.05pm, there was then a delay before a vehicle able to lift the urinal arrived at the scene at about 3.15pm.
Mr Holding became trapped under a pop-up urinal (PA)Mr Holding, employed by Hi-tech Washroom Solutions Limited, was close to finishing the work on the toilet when he became stuck just before 1pm.
Coroner Prof Fiona Wilcox, who opened and adjourned the inquest reportedly offered "very sincere condolences" to Kevin's partner and three children, who attended the hearing.
Following the inquest Westminster City Council issued a statement saying: "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the friends and family of Kevin Holding.
The urinal "fell quite suddenly", the inquest heard (PA)“The council will support Mr Holding’s family in any way we can. There is an ongoing council investigation to establish the circumstances of this tragic incident.
"The council is also cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation by The Health and Safety Executive."
At the time of the tragedy Metropolitan Police reportedly said: "We're sorry to have to update that, despite the efforts of emergency services, the man who was critically injured in Cambridge Circus was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed. Cordons remain in place at the location
"Police were called at around 1.10pm on Friday January 27, to a seriously injured man at Cambridge Circus, W1. The man is thought to have sustained crush injuries while working on a telescopic urinal at the location."