A labourer has told how he battled in vain for 45 minutes to save his brother’s life after he received a massive electric shock from a 11,000 volt power line on a Blairgowrie fruit farm.
Lukas Faltynowski raced to brother Gerard’s side and attempted heart massage to keep him alive following the horrific incident at West Haugh Farm, Rattray, on July 28, 2006.
Polish immigrant Gerard Faltynowski (26) was putting up steel-framed polytunnels when a seven-metre metal pole he was carrying touched the overhead power line.
A fatal accident inquiry began on Monday at Perth Sheriff Court with a report by pathologist Dr David Sadler of Dundee University being read.
It stated, “A flash was seen from overhead cables and the deceased collapsed.
“He was found gasping for breath and was unconscious, with a fading pulse. Despite attempts at CPR, he died.”
His hands and feet were blistered and his socks and shoes torn by the force of 6350 volts of electricity surging through him.
Lukas Faltynowski (24), a forklift driver of Kinnaird Street, Arbroath, said he had been on a cigarette break when he heard a commotion.Ran to help brotherHe said, “I just heard something like an electricity noise and saw smoke coming from a tunnel and then someone was shouting.
“I just started running to the tunnel and looking around the field and didn’t see my brother and then I saw him, lying on the ground.”
He added, “I was with him for 45 minutes.”
Working with another two labourers, one a lifelong friend from Poland, he gave CPR to his brother until the ambulance arrived.
Mr Faltynowski said he had never been given health and safety training at the farm owned by Thomas Thomson (Blairgowrie) Ltd but supervisor Derek McWilliam disputed this, claiming all workers were aware of the power lines and how to do their job safely.
He said rather than carrying separate metal poles across his arms, Mr Faltynowski had joined several together and was carrying them vertically.
“I’ve never seen anyone doing that, or trying to do it, before or since,” he added.
Asked if health and safety procedures had since improved, he said, “Improved? You can’t sneeze without having to sign a form now.”
The electricity lines are now switched off before the tunnels are put up and dismantled.Onlooker’s concernQuizzed about her company’s policies, director Melanie Thomson, wife of farm managing director Peter Thomson, said her job included health and safety guidance but admitted she had no training herself and had not seen literature about working near power lines.
Training was carried out by individual managers and supervisors, she said, and risk assessments would be made according to each job.
She added that the accident which killed Mr Faltynowski was “not foreseeable” because he was carrying the poles in such an unusual way.
Scottish & Southern Energy overhead lines worker Russell Airth said he had seen the same group working in the field under the main line from the Blairgowrie electricity sub-station to Alyth a few days before the accident.
He was so concerned he spoke to the group and Mr Thomson personally.
John Madden of the Health and Safety Executive told the court the incident had led to greater relations between farmers and power companies.
Sheriff Michael Fletcher said he will deliver his ruling in writing within three weeks.
A year ago the company and its owner were fined in the criminal court for breaching health and safety laws in relation to the accident.
Thomas Thomson Ltd was fined £9000 for failing to ensure workers’ safety and Peter Thomson was personally fined £1800 for not properly carrying out a risk assessment.