Man 'negligent' over boat death

Krisztian Takacs was killed in the fire on 12 August, 2005

A boat owner's negligence led to the death of a 26-year-old Hungarian employee, who died in a blaze while melting lead on a boat, a court heard.

Krisztian Takacs was carrying out work in Southampton's Smith Quay, when the accident occurred, in August last year.

Winchester Crown Court heard how he was allegedly allowed to work without fire extinguishers or a means of escape.

Philip Roger Wyman, 61, of Raneleagh Road, Weymouth, denies manslaughter and breaching the Health and Safety Act.

Mr Takacs suffered smoke inhalation and died inside the 48ft (14.6m) boat as he worked melting lead for the keel.

'Flame thrower'

Prosecution, Christopher Parker QC, told the court: "We say this defendant, entirely needlessly and through his own negligence, exposed Krisztian Takacs and himself to dangers he was very well aware of."

Mr Wyman failed to put pressure reducers on the propane gas hoses being used by Mr Takacs used to melt the lead, the court heard.

This was part of "a thoroughly unsafe system of work" and had "a cavalier approach to assembling equipment for this dangerous operation", Mr Parker told the jury.

The court also heard one of the gas cylinders used for the melting became a "giant flame thrower" after losing its hose, which led to the fire becoming so intense that it set nearby boats alight.

The trial continues.