Finding into death of Timothy Aghan

52y · Male·Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy complicating traumatic asphyxia due to external compression of chest by motor vehicle

A 52-year-old man died from hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy following traumatic asphyxia when a vehicle he was working under fell on him. While working on his transmission at home, the vehicle rolled off ramps due to inadequate safety precautions: the handbrake was loose, wheels were not chocked, and no contingencies supported the vehicle's weight. He was trapped until neighbours freed him, but suffered cardiac arrest from crush injury. The death was entirely preventable with proper safety measures including wheel chocking, functional handbrakes, and safety awareness. The coroner emphasised that DIY vehicle maintenance deaths, though decreasing since 2011 safety campaigns, continue to occur and are wholly preventable through basic safety precautions.