A CORONER hit out at metal theft after a man was killed when an aluminium ladder placed against a pylon touched a live electricity cable.

Darren Wayne Law, aged 42, was hit by a 6,600-volt electrical surge and died in hospital.

Mr Law, a father-ofthree, had gone into a farmer’s field in Radcliffe, with two friends to steal copper, an inquest into his death heard.

The aluminium ladder, which the men carried to the scene, reached almost up to the top wires of the pylon.

Giving evidence, one of the three, Robert Haughton said their plan was aborted because Mr Law did not have a cable testing device.

He said Mr Law placed his foot on a bottom rung of the ladder to take it away.

It then came into contact with a live cable.

Mr Haughton, 42, said he heard Mr Law cry out for help.

The inquest in Rochdale heard all three — Mr Law, Mr Haughton and Stephen Howarth had been drinking and taking amphetamine.

Mr Haughton said: “Darren pulled the ladder away from the pylon.

“I saw the flash about 20 feet above him.”

Paramedics were called to the scene, off Warth Fold Road, early on January 13, 2009.

Mr Howarth tried to resuscitate Mr Law but he was pronounced dead on arrival at Fairfield Hospital in Bury.

The cause of death was electrocution.

Mr Haughton said Mr Law would regularly go out to steal metal.

Mr Law, from Derwent Drive, Bury, was released from prison the day before he died after serving a sentence for a driving offence.

The inquest was told both Mr Haughton and Mr Howarth were charged with attempted theft and received suspended jail sentences in court.

Coroner Simon Nelson recorded a verdict of death by misadventure saying: “This can only be viewed as a tragedy that is waiting to happen.

“I fear it will not be too long before another perpetrator ends up like this.”