A tragic incident occurred in Lancashire where David Wilson, a wheelchair user, lost his life due to burns and smoke inhalation after his wheelchair caught fire near a gas heater. His wife, Karen, attempted to rescue him but unfortunately, he passed away at the scene.
The unfortunate event took place in the garage of their home in Bacup while David was working on his tractor. Karen had wheeled him into the garage so he could work on his beloved tractor, which had a gas heater. She had changed the gas cylinder earlier that day but had not fully secured it under the bench.
After leaving David in the garage for a short time to do some chores, Karen noticed smoke emanating from the garage around 45 minutes later. Despite her efforts to extinguish the fire and save David, he could not be saved.
An investigation by Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service revealed that the fire started when David inadvertently moved his wheelchair too close to the gas heater. Tests showed that even without direct contact, the wheelchair would have ignited within a few seconds. The inquest also mentioned a previous incident where one of the wheelchair’s tires had melted due to proximity to the heater.
During the inquest, concerns were raised about the safety measures in place, including the use of a bungee cord to secure David in the wheelchair and the garage’s uneven flooring. The coroner concluded that David’s death was accidental, caused by smoke inhalation and burns.
Following the inquest, David’s brother Stephen reflected on David’s life, describing him as a caring individual who had taken on a fatherly role in the family. David is survived by his sisters, mother, daughter, and extended family, leaving behind fond memories for his loved ones.
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