Power station deaths 'accidental'

Power station deaths 'accidental'

The blast came during a procedure on a transformer

An inquest jury has returned a verdict of accidental death on three workers who died in an explosion at a Teesside power plant 18 months ago.

Paul Surtees, Darren Higgins, and Andrew Sherwood were killed while carrying out maintenance work on a transformer on the former Enron power station near Redcar.

Two of the men could only be identified using their dental records.

A fourth man, Graham White, suffered serious burns.

The inquest heard how the team inadvertently shortcircuited the 16,000 volt transformer while trying to alter its voltage.

A fireball erupted from the device, instantly killing Mr Sherwood, 36, and Mr Higgins, 28, in August 2001, Teesside Coroner's Court had heard.

'Body in flames'

Mr Surtees, 41, died later at Middlesbrough General Hospital after suffering 90% burns.

Graeme White, 39, from Billingham, survived the blast, which was described by coroner Michael Sheffield as a "tragic disaster".

Mr White had told the 11-member jury that his "whole body was in flames" after the blast.

He was observing Mr Higgins, from Normanby, near Middlesbrough, and Mr Surtees, from Hawthorn, County Durham, attempting a procedure on a huge transformer at the 27-acre site in Wilton.

Mr Sherwood, from Hartlepool, was also observing the men when the accident happened.

After the hearing an official from the Health and Safety Executive said that investigations into the accident were continuing.

He said a decision on whether to take further action would be made within the next few weeks.