Inquest opens into death of Dixon's Chimney tragedy man
An inquest has been opened into the death of a grandfather who died after becoming trapped at the top of Dixon's Chimney in Carlisle.
Robert Philip Longcake, who was aged 53 and known as Phil, was left suspended upside down on the 290ft city structure, his lower leg reported to have become wedged between brickwork and a metal ladder.
Police responded initially just after 2:20am, on October 28, amid reports Mr Longcake was trapped in sub-zero temperatures.
There followed a 14-hour rescue operation described by the emergency services as "very complex and precarious", as shocked members of the public watched the incident unfold from the ground.
A 90-metre cherry picker transported from Glasgow allowed rope rescue specialists to reach Mr Longcake, who was brought to the ground at around 4-30pm but pronounced dead at the scene.
An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned in Cockermouth by Cumbria area coroner Kirsty Gomersal.
During a short hearing, it emerged Mr Longcake's body had been formally identified by his wife, Andrea. Born in Silloth, Mr Longcake had lived latterly at Dalston, near Carlisle, and his occupation was stated to be a crematorium technician.
"The details of Mr Longcake's death are that he was found suspended by his ankle on Dixon's chimney, Shaddongate, Carlisle," the coroner stated. "After a lengthy recovery operation, Mr Longcake was sadly declared deceased at the scene."
A post mortem examination had concluded the cause of his death to be "hypothermia and cerebral swelling", and "inverted suspension".
No family members were present at today's hearing, which was adjourned by the coroner. A provisional date for the inquest resumption was set for March 23, 2020.
In a tribute released after Mr Longcake's death, his family described him as a "fantastic granddad" who would be "very much missed" by all who knew him.
"Phil had many wonderful and happy times with his family, and these memories will be treasured by his loved ones," they stated.