Coroner's Finding: WOODCOCK Gary William Burton

36y · Male·anaphylactic reaction due to multiple bee stings

Gary Woodcock, a 36-year-old chimney sweep, died from anaphylactic reaction to multiple bee stings (40-50 stings) sustained while working at height on a chimney at St Peter's College. He was unknowingly allergic to bee venom. The tragedy resulted from inadequate pest control measures taken the previous day. The pest exterminator, Mr Bourne, used a smoke generator method that failed to completely eradicate bees within the flue, created a blockage indicated by smoke backflow, and critically failed to conduct adequate follow-up inspection or explicitly advise against work proceeding. He left vague instructions to call if bees were seen again, rather than ensuring complete eradication before workers returned. Had Mr Bourne either used optimal methods (cherry picker access from above) or conducted proper post-treatment verification, this death would likely have been prevented.