A young man training for a half-marathon was killed instantly after making contact with a low-hanging 11,000-volt electrical cable in Cumbria, an inquest has heard.
A Fatal Training Run
John Henry Oates, known as Harry, was 29 years old when the tragedy occurred in October 2023. The Bristol resident was running on a public footpath at Badger Gate, near Kendal, when he came into contact with the live conductor.
The cable had detached from its usual position on a pole two days earlier and became suspended on lower equipment. This critical failure meant the 11kv line was not earthed and remained live, posing a lethal but invisible hazard.
A Family's Search for Answers
Harry's family have spoken of their 'immeasurable' pain, describing him as a 'perfect son and brother' full of promise. In a heartfelt statement, they rejected the assertion by Electricity North West Ltd (ENWL) that the incident resulted from a 'unique chain of events' that was 'unforeseeable'.
Represented by Gareth Naylor of Ison Harrison Solicitors, the family investigated and claim to have found evidence of similar past incidents. 'This was not a random or unique accident,' the family stated. 'There were missed opportunities to prevent what happened.'
Their investigation revealed:
- The 2012 death of Dr Kew, who died in remarkably similar circumstances while running.
- Two other regional incidents in the past six years involving failed insulators causing low-hanging live conductors, one killing cattle.
- A lack of automatic detection for low-hanging lines and a policy of re-energising lines after faults unless the public reported danger within 20 minutes.
Systemic Failures and Calls for Change
The family and their legal team highlighted several systemic concerns. They questioned why infrastructure design did not ensure a fallen line would hit the ground and de-energise, and why poles were positioned near public footpaths without mitigation for such failures.
Following Harry's death, ENWL has implemented changes, including line patrols when notified of certain faults and plans to replace defective insulators and install LineSight technology. The senior coroner for Cumbria, Kirsty Gomersal, is issuing a Prevention of Future Deaths report to the Energy Network Association.
An ENWL spokesperson expressed heartfelt sympathies and stated safety is their number one value, adding they would work with the industry on learnings from this 'immensely sad accident'.
Harry Oates had just had an offer accepted on his first flat in the week of his death. His family now hopes his legacy will be a nationwide industry overhaul to prevent another such tragedy.
