Calls for safety measures at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct after death of teenager

  • Wales

A coroner has called for safety measures at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Denbighshire after a teenager fell to his death.

18-year-old Kristopher Mcdowell, from Cefn Mawr, fell 120 feet when a cast-iron upright gave way after he had gone through a gap in the railings alongside the towpath in May 2016.

An employee of the Canal and River Trust, which is responsible for the aqueduct, had carried out a monthly inspection of the railings three weeks earlier, and no issues were identified.

However, at the inquest into the incident, the coroner raised concerns about the size of the gaps between the uprights and about the adequacy of the method of inspection which had not identified the faulty upright.

The 200-year-old structure is visited by more than 200,000 people a year.

William Day, a consultant civil engineer told the inquest the systems employed were 'more rigorous' than many and that the inspections were adequate.

He explained that the bottom of the upright appeared to have disengaged first when Mr McDowell pulled himself up on it and then the top came away - a 'nib' helping to secure the upright had fractured.

Andrew Marginson, an engineer asked by the coroner to produce an independent report, agreed that the Trust's systems were acceptable but he also voiced concerns about the size of the gaps between the uprights.

Both engineers agreed that steps could be taken to reduce the risk. But Mr Day pointed out that mesh or wires between the uprights could affect the structure in high winds, and would require consent as it was a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After the jury returned a conclusion of misadventure, the coroner reassured the public that the structure was perfectly safe to visit and use normally.

After the hearing, Julie Sahramn from the Canal and River Trust said they took safety very seriously.

Tributes left at the site in 2015.

Speaking after the inquest, Mr McDowell's family said no family should have to go through the 'heartache' they did.

The 200-year-old structure, which was built by Thomas Telford and is visited by more than 200,000 people a year undergoes a 'principal inspection' every 20 years and the next one will take place later this year.