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Fireworks deaths at Lake District wedding ruled accidental Fireworks deaths at Lake District wedding ruled accidental
(about 1 hour later)
A fireworks display organiser and his assistant were killed accidentally as they prepared a display to celebrate a business partner’s wedding, an inquest jury has concluded.A fireworks display organiser and his assistant were killed accidentally as they prepared a display to celebrate a business partner’s wedding, an inquest jury has concluded.
The jury found that Andrew Coates, 41, and Polly Connor, 46, died after an “unexplained” explosion in a fireworks store that then filled up with a fatal level of carbon dioxide.The jury found that Andrew Coates, 41, and Polly Connor, 46, died after an “unexplained” explosion in a fireworks store that then filled up with a fatal level of carbon dioxide.
The pair were found dead in a wooden outbuilding on 30 August 2014 at John Simpson’s home near Lake Windermere. Simpson had married Nicole Rothwell earlier that day, and guests heard “snapping and popping” not long after the ceremony.The pair were found dead in a wooden outbuilding on 30 August 2014 at John Simpson’s home near Lake Windermere. Simpson had married Nicole Rothwell earlier that day, and guests heard “snapping and popping” not long after the ceremony.
Before about 75 guests were due to sit down for the afternoon reception meal, Simpson described “all hell breaking loose” with two large explosions and fireworks shooting off in all directions from the area of the outbuilding.Before about 75 guests were due to sit down for the afternoon reception meal, Simpson described “all hell breaking loose” with two large explosions and fireworks shooting off in all directions from the area of the outbuilding.
Coates, a father-of-one, and his assistant, who had three children, were inside the building, which contain a store of fireworks, when it erupted into flames. A second explosion blew the roof off. Coates, a father-of-one, and his assistant, who had three children, were inside the building, which contained a store of fireworks, when it erupted into flames. A second explosion blew the roof off.
Firefighters were called to Larch Cottage, where they found the bodies of the two victims, who were both from Kendal in Cumbria, near the outbuilding’s entrance.Firefighters were called to Larch Cottage, where they found the bodies of the two victims, who were both from Kendal in Cumbria, near the outbuilding’s entrance.
Simpson, an insurance boss, and Coates held a licence to store fireworks in the outbuilding via their business hobby venture, Stardust Fireworks.Simpson, an insurance boss, and Coates held a licence to store fireworks in the outbuilding via their business hobby venture, Stardust Fireworks.
Coates was responsible for the practical side of the business and had worked as a display manager for a pyrotechnics firm.Coates was responsible for the practical side of the business and had worked as a display manager for a pyrotechnics firm.
The jury sitting in Kendal returned verdicts of accidental death. It ruled that the explosion rendered both victims unable to leave the store as fire consumed the outbuilding and resulted in a fatal level of carbon monoxide.The jury sitting in Kendal returned verdicts of accidental death. It ruled that the explosion rendered both victims unable to leave the store as fire consumed the outbuilding and resulted in a fatal level of carbon monoxide.