Legal News
Mental Health Patient Killed By Pylon Climb (19 September 2011)
Date: 19/09/2011
A Mental Health patient, who escaped from hospital, died after climbing an electricity pylon and exposing himself to live cables carrying a 33,000-volt charge. 19-year-old, David Hoskins, suffered from severe burns when he touched live cables following running away from a Mental Health ward at Weston General Hospital. The teenager died in intensive care at Frenchay Hospital just six weeks after the incident.
During the inquest into his death, Mr. Hoskins' mother questioned her son’s escape from the hospital. The hearing heard that Mr. Hoskins was rescued from the pylon at a height of 65 foot. The pylon was only a short distance from the Weston General Hospital. The inquest heard how Mr. Hoskins ran through the hospital’s garden and climbed over a three-foot perimeter fence following being allowed by staff to smoke a cigarette outside unsupervised. Hospital staff pursued Mr. Hoskins but failed to catch him. Mr. Hoskins was found by Roger Britton, who was leaving the hospital after attending an appointment.
Mr. Hoskins’ suffered 60 per cent burns after exposing himself to two live cables for just 1.7 seconds. Doctors amputated his left arm and carried out skin grafts in an attempt to save his life yet were unable to prevent his death. Mrs. Hoskins informed the inquest that she felt that her son was not adequately protected while in hospital. Jenny Hayward, the nurse in charge on the ward on the day of the incident, maintained that there was no requirement for Mr. Hoskins to be under constant close supervision.
The Mental Health law solicitors at Duncan Lewis are able to assist those suffering from Mental Health problems and their families where necessary.