Norfolk HGV driver’s daughter ‘let down’ following inquest

Mark Gellatly died after an accident at School Farm in Hainford, north of Norwich, while he was working for Pilgrim’s Pride Ltd.

The 51-year-old grandfather was collecting 120 pigs from the farm to take to an abattoir at the time, but ran into difficulties with the loading ramp of his truck.

He alerted his managers and was told to go to Truck and Plant in Beccles for repairs. 

Believing the problem to be resolved, Mr Gellatly returned to Hainford to begin loading the pigs but during the task, the ramp gave way and he was crushed.

He died at the scene.

The inquest, which had been due to last four days,^[1] concluded on the third day on Wednesday, July 5. It was led by the senior coroner for Norfolk, Jacqueline Lake. 

The jury recorded a conclusion of “misadventure”. 

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Gellatly’s daughter, Honor Warner, said: “We do not agree with the conclusion from the court.

“We feel let down by the system and disappointed for my dad’s legacy.   

“As a family we were already heartbroken but now our grieving starts again as we process the results of the hearing and try to come to terms with the outcome.   

“My dad had so much more life to live and loved to give.”  

In an earlier tribute to her father, in a statement read out to the court, she added: “My dad was a very kind and wonderful human being. 

“He would have given you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it more.” 

Mr Gellatly was born in Scotland in 1968 and moved to Hingham in 2015, where he lived on Watton Road. 

His medical cause of death was given as a skull fracture and brain contusion as a result of the injuries he suffered in the incident. 

References

1. ^{^} The inquest, which had been due to last four days, (www.edp24.co.uk)