The death of a New Zealand lawyer in London from a falling shop sign was an accident "waiting to happen" because the sign was not properly secured, an inquest has heard.
Jacob Marx, 27, who was living in Islington, suffered severe head injuries when he was hit by a 30ft metal sign in Camden Town as he walked past a William Hill betting shop in high winds nearly two years ago.
The sign could have fallen down "at anytime, with anyone", Steven Simmons-Jacobs, a Health and Safety Executive inspector, who carried out an inspection of the shop-front following Mr Marx's death, told St Pancras Coroner's Court.
The sign was not properly screwed on, and was being held up by small "panel pins", which were not designed to hold the weight of a large sign, the Islington Gazette reported him as saying.
Rainwater had poured into the wood behind the sign, causing it to buckle, and no-one had checked to see if the sign and its fixings were still in good condition, Mr Simmons-Jacobs told the jury inquest.
"It was just waiting to happen, and it could have happened at any time with anyone," he was quoted as saying.
"Unfortunately, it happened on that day with that poor gentleman passing by."
Mr Marx, who was originally from Gisborne, was struck on the head and neck by the sign on January 28, 2013. Several bystanders witnessed what happened, and ran to his aid. They pulled the sign off him before paramedics from a passing ambulance attempted to resuscitate him
He was taken to hospital, but died shortly after.
Off-duty policeman PC Dylan Wright described to the jury how he was on his way to the cinema when he heard a "loud snap".
"I heard a scream. I looked over and saw there was a body underneath where the sign had fallen. I immediately ran over," the Islington Gazette reported.
"There was blood coming out from under the sign."
Mr Marx's family and girlfriend also gave statements to the inquest, in which they described him as "thoughtful, smart and sincere", the newspaper said.
"He was a kind, fun-loving, intelligent, mischievous, exasperating, competitive and loyal friend," his parents Susan and Alan Marx said. "Nothing prepared us for the overwhelming sense of shock that came with his death."
His girlfriend Natalie Chung also revealed they had planned to get married. The couple had been together for nine years.
They moved to London four months before his death as part of a round-the-world "trip of a lifetime".
The inquest continues
- NZME. News Service
