A four-day inquest has opened into the death of a scaffolder who died nine months after falling more than three metres while working on a Bloor Homes site.

Carl Williams, 53, was injured in February 2023 while erecting scaffolding on his first day at the development. He suffered multiple rib fractures and serious injuries to his spine.

The inquest heard Mr Williams remained at Royal Stoke University Hospital until September 2023. He later died at Adderley Green Care Centre in November 2023.

Evidence heard by the court said Mr Williams, from Burton, had more than 30 years of scaffolding experience.

He had been working alongside fellow scaffolder Daniel Sahadeo, who told the hearing the pair had previously worked together for around two years on another site.

Mr Sahadeo said they had been subcontracted to erect and dismantle scaffolding and had signed a risk assessment and method statement before starting work.

He told the inquest they had been asked to raise the scaffold to fourth lift height in preparation for roof works.

Describing the incident, Mr Sahadeo said he had been sorting fittings for a birdcage scaffold when he turned and saw a stillage go over the edge with Mr Williams holding onto the bars.

He told the hearing Mr Williams fell head first and landed beneath the stillage. He then pulled him clear and called for an ambulance.

The inquest heard Mr Williams had been wearing a harness at the time. However, he was not clipped on to a structure when he fell, and the lanyard clip was attached to the back of the harness instead.

His cause of death was given as complications of a blunt force neck injury.

The hearing, taking place in Stoke, is continuing.