A 17-year-old teenager tragically lost his life after a concrete pipe reportedly fell and crushed his neck while he was working at a construction site in Durham, an inquest has heard.
Shay Blayden, from Witton Gilbert, suffered devastating injuries during the horrific workplace accident at the Bellway Sniperley Park development site.
Emergency services rushed to the scene following the incident, but Shay sadly died from his injuries the following day on April 17.
During the inquest at Crook Coroners Court, officials were told the teenager sustained fatal injuries after a large concrete cylinder fell on him while he was at work.
A post-mortem examination later listed his preliminary cause of death as head and chest injuries.
Shay’s grieving parents, Lee and Samantha Blayden, paid an emotional tribute to their son, describing him as a hardworking, caring and determined young man who “lit up every room”.
“As his parents, we couldn’t be more proud of the hardworking, determined young man Shay turned out to be,” they said.
The family said Shay loved his job, enjoyed going to the gym and boxing, and always gave his best despite his young age.
They also shared that he deeply loved spending time with his long-term girlfriend, Libby.
“Shay was the most genuine, loving, funny and caring lad you could ever wish to meet,” they added.
The teenager was also remembered as a devoted brother to his siblings, Elis and Edie, as well as a loyal friend to many people around him.
“Our handsome brown-eyed boy — forever 17,” the family said in their heartbreaking statement.
Senior Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield adjourned the inquest until a further hearing scheduled for August 4.
Authorities confirmed that investigations are still ongoing.
The Health and Safety Executive is currently conducting a safety investigation, while Durham Police has launched a separate criminal investigation focusing on site management and safety procedures.
Following Shay’s death, a fundraising campaign was set up to support the devastated family.
Although the development site is part of a Bellway housing project, the court heard that groundwork operations at the time were reportedly being handled by contractor Esh Group.
