'Massive mistakes were made with key evidence lost'

THE family of a man who died after an explosion took place at his home have said they feel “massive mistakes” were made and “key evidence lost” after 60 tonnes of rubble from the decimated property was removed and not preserved for examination.

- ROBERT DALLING Reporter

Brian Lyn Davies' body was discovered among the rubble at his home address of 159 Clydach Road, Morriston, Swansea, on Monday, March 13, 2023.

The retired builder, who was aged 68, had been unaccounted for for several hours.

An inquest is being held at Swansea's Guildhall into his death and is anticipated to last for up to six days.

Previous stages of the inquest heard how rubble was removed from the scene by Swansea Council staff operating a JCB, as efforts were made to find Mr Davies.

But 60 tonnes of the rubble, described as “potential evidence” was taken to a baling plant at a recycling centre and not preserved.

A gas pipe excavated at the scene was found to be fractured in places, with the biggest crack being four to eight millimetres, along with smaller cracks.

A central question in the inquest is whether the cracks in the gas pipe had formed before the explosion, or afterwards, during the excavation process.

A short statement read by a family member at the inquest heard: "As a family we feel massive mistakes have been made and key evidence lost.