Inquest into Oldham grandad's death at work abandoned

An inquest into the death of 58-year-old Yvan Davies from Oldham has been abruptly abandoned after police requested more time to investigate the workplace tragedy. The jury had already sat through two days of evidence when Greater Manchester Police stepped in, asking to revisit their investigation into the April 2023 incident at Fothergill Polycom Ltd in Chadderton.

Mr Davies was found injured with part of a granulator machine on top of him, just days after repairs were carried out on the equipment. The machine, nicknamed 'the dinosaur' by workers due to its age, had broken down the week before his death. An engineering assistant who helped work on the machine had already given evidence to the inquest.

Senior coroner Joanne Kearsley told the jury she had to 'reluctantly' dismiss them, apologising for the adjournment. 'This is not what this court would have wished for, and I'm certain it's not what Yvan's family would have wished for,' she said. The coroner promised to share an update with legal representatives in around six weeks.

Mr Davies' partner Amanda Bartholomew, who had already given emotional testimony about the impact on their family, appeared distressed by the news. 'My family hasn't been the same since he's not been around,' she had told the court. We've got help and support, but I just wish I could turn the clock around and bring him back.