Lorry driver electrocuted after truck hit overhead power line in Conwy

A 56-year-old lorry driver was electrocuted after the grab arm of his tipper truck struck an 11,000-volt overhead power line while he was delivering material to a farm in Conwy, an inquest has heard.

Andy Lloyd, from Llanelian, was with his 14-year-old son, who had joined him for work experience. After the arm hit the cables, Lloyd climbed out of the cab and was electrocuted when he came into contact with the truck’s metal step, the inquest at Ruthin Coroner’s Court heard.

The incident happened at Tan y Dderwen Farm in Betws-yn-Rhos on 1 May. Contractors who witnessed it said they saw flames coming from the lorry’s rear tyres and Lloyd’s boots before he collapsed. One helped his son leave the vehicle safely, while another performed CPR and a third called an ambulance.

The coroner heard that the power supply had tripped, but the lorry remained in contact with the cables. A Scottish Power engineer who attended the area saw the vehicle beneath the line, and plans were made to make it safe.

Senior coroner John Gittins concluded that Lloyd died as a result of an accident. His partner, Hayley Lloyd, said his “last moments were spent in his truck with his son beside him”.