A man killed by a falling tree was at work as a traffic warden at the time, a court has heard. An inquest into the tragic death of Darnell Cordingley, 26, was opened and adjourned at Stockport Coroners' Court today - Friday.
Coroner Christopher Morris was told Darnell, of Stokoe Avenue in Altrincham, Trafford, worked as a traffic warden and was wearing his liveried Trafford Council uniform at the time. The court heard a 'joint' investigation by the Health and Safety Executive and Greater Manchester Police was ongoing.
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Darnell was sadly pronounced dead at the scene on Osborne Terrace in Sale, Trafford, on October 6. He was with a long-time friend at the time, Sam Smart, who was also injured in the tragedy.
No update on his condition was revealed at the brief hearing, which was attended by members of Darnell's family. Mr Morris, said: "A number of investigations are ongoing in relation to Mr Cordingley's tragic death."
The court heard a post-mortem examination gave a cause of death as a head injury. Mr Morris said he was satisfied an inquest was necessary under law.
A pre-inquest review was listed to be heard at the same coroners' court in February next year. Darnell's tragic death has led to an outpouring of tributes and support for his family.
A small shrine of touching tributes to Darnell, described as a much-loved son, brother and friend, has gone up in his memory close to the spot where he died, near to the entrance to the tow path of the Bridgewater Canal at the end of Darley Street. Floral tributes, photographs and heartfelt personal messages are all displayed.
Darnell, a film-maker and avid gamer, had his own YouTube channel where he posted videos he'd made. Tributes have poured in for the 'best big brother anyone could have hoped for', with close friends, loved ones, and people who knew Darnell from his online hobbies, all coming together to remember him. Darnell's mum, Beth Cordingley, 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."
Darnell, who spent most of his spare time gaming, loved walking, animals, and playing airsoft, said his family.
They said 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 get into five different universities, 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."
No further details were revealed as the inquest was opened.
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