A jury will be called for the inquest into the death of a young man killed by a falling tree. A pre-inquest review hearing was held on Wednesday (February 8) in the case of Darnell Cordingley, 26.
A jury will sit as Mr Cordingley's death was referred to a government agency - the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Mr Cordingley, of Stokoe Avenue, in Altrincham, Trafford, was working as a traffic warden and was wearing council uniform when a tree fell onto him on October 6 last year.
He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene on Osborne Terrace in Sale. A friend was badly injured.
An investigation was launched by the HSE. Officials are in the early stages of that probe, Stockport Coroners' Court heard. An investigation was started by Greater Manchester Police, but the HSE soon took over as the lead body.
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Detective Inspector Jennifer Reeve told coroner Christopher Morris a statement from Mr Cordingley's friend Sam Smart, who was with him, is still being sought.
Mr Morris said Mr Smart was a 'key eyewitness'. DI Reeve told the court other witnesses only saw the aftermath of the incident. Mr Morris asked GMP to have a statement from Mr Smart by May 11.
HSE inspector Lorna Sherlock told Mr Morris the body was in the 'very early stages' of its investigation and that an expert has visited the site to examine the tree.
The HSE was given a target of June 2 to issue a full report with supporting evidence to the court.
"There is no alternative but to sit with a jury," Mr Morris said, scheduling an another pre-inquest review hearing for June 16.
Mr Cordingley shock death led to an outpouring of grief, with family and friends flooding social media with tributes. The film-maker and avid gamer had his own YouTube channel.
Darnell's mum Beth, 43, told the Manchester Evening News at the time: "Darnell was just a lovely lovely gentle soul. He just wanted to help people, he was always a happy, cheery, positive person. He was the apple of my eye, my world, and my strength.
"He was a really good son, loving, loyal, always there for us both and always took care of his sister, we’re going to miss him very much. Myself and my daughter are absolutely devastated, it's always been us three against the world and nothing can fill the void that's been left in our lives. There's nothing that can fill this emptiness. It’s just tragic, it shouldn’t have happened to him. He had a happy and caring soul and always wanted the best for everyone. He could brighten up any room."
The straight-A student - who went to Barton Clough Primary School, before heading to Altrincham College of Arts High School - worked hard at South Trafford College to secure offers at five universities, before settling on UCLAN Preston University to study directing and film, a huge passion which saw him create videos in his spare time for a YouTube channel. He was living at home and saving to get onto the property ladder, said his family.
Sister Indio, 23, said at the time: "Darnell was the best big brother anyone could have hoped for. He was always by my side when times got hard and I'm going to miss his comforting presence. He genuinely cared about everything and everyone, and he never had an enemy, everyone that met him loved him. Everyone he ever met was friends with him, he never had anything bad to say about anyone, he was just happy to be a part of people’s lives.
"He was down to earth, kind, and had a really calming and comforting presence. Even if you were the most stressed you’d ever been he’d calm you down. He always knew the right thing to say. He was a really interesting person, everything about him was just intriguing."
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