Blair Campbell, a 35-year-old gardener, was tragically electrocuted while pruning a hedge after accidentally cutting through a wire. He was airlifted to the hospital but unfortunately died shortly after. Blair’s devastated wife, Tina Campbell, described the heartbreaking moment when she was told of his death, stating that her life had been “completely shattered” by losing her “soul mate.” Blair ran a gardening business, Blue Kiwi Gardens and Maintenance, and had moved to the UK from New Zealand to be with Tina.
On the day of the incident, October 3, 2022, Blair had gone to work to prune the hedge and came into contact with the substation wire while working on the ivy-covered bush. The court heard that warning signs about the substation were covered by the thick ivy, leading Blair to be unaware of the danger underneath. Prior to Blair’s death, reports had been made about the need to remove the ivy, but no action had been taken. SP Energy Networks, responsible for maintaining the substation, has since made changes to its health and safety policy in light of the tragic accident.
Following Blair’s death, which was reported to the Health and Safety Executive, Tina sought legal representation from lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help her obtain answers at the inquest. Steve Hill, representing Tina, expressed the difficulty she has faced in coming to terms with losing Blair and her ongoing struggle with his sudden and tragic death. While nothing can make up for her loss, the legal team was able to provide Tina with some of the answers she deserved regarding the circumstances surrounding Blair’s electrocution while working on the hedge.
Tina Campbell shared her heartbreak over losing Blair at such a young age, recalling her initial disbelief upon hearing the news of his accident and subsequent death. She expressed the ongoing hope that it was all a terrible nightmare and described the devastation of being told by doctors that Blair had passed away. Tina emphasized the impact of Blair’s death on her life and the challenges she continues to face in coping with his absence. The inquest at Cheshire Coroner’s Court concluded that Blair’s cause of death was electrocution, resulting from the incident while pruning the hedge.
Blair’s landscaping business, Blue Kiwi Gardens and Maintenance, was his passion, and he had dedicated his efforts to building the company. His move to the UK from New Zealand to be with Tina reflected his commitment to their relationship and his love for his family. The court heard that the thick ivy covering the bush where Blair was working had obscured the warning signs about the substation wire, highlighting a crucial safety oversight that contributed to the tragic accident. SP Energy Networks’ revised health and safety policy aims to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, ensuring the protection of workers like Blair who may be exposed to potential hazards while on the job.
