October 09, 2026 - 169 views
A power line worker from Bangor who was left paralysed after falling more than 30 feet from an electricity pylon has secured a compensation package worth more than £10 million.
Gavin Pugh was working to dismantle a pylon in East Staffordshire in April 2022 when his safety line slipped free, sending him plunging to the ground and leaving him with life-changing injuries.
Mr Pugh, who was 33 at the time, suffered injuries to his brain, neck, shoulder, ribs and internal organs. He was left paraplegic and permanently reliant on a wheelchair.
The accident happened after he attached his safety line to a section of the pylon that had been left unsecured at one end by another team working on the structure. When he put his weight on the metal strut, it moved into a vertical position, allowing his safety line to slip off.
His employer, Cheshire-based Wood Transmission and Distribution Limited, was subsequently prosecuted following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The company was fined £240,000 after the investigation found that adequate safety arrangements had not been put in place to protect workers. The case highlighted problems with risk assessment, staffing levels and the communication of safety-critical information between teams.
HSE inspector Robert Gidman said the incident could have been prevented if the company had put adequate arrangements in place to protect its workforce.
The HSE's guidance on working at height states that employers must ensure such work is properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out by competent people using suitable equipment. Risks should be assessed in advance, with measures taken to prevent falls wherever possible and minimise the consequences if an accident occurs.
Clear communication is also essential when different teams are working on the same structure, particularly where the safety of one team depends on work completed by another.
Mr Pugh later brought a compensation claim against his employer through the High Court in London. An out-of-court settlement worth more than £10 million was agreed, according to his legal representatives at Stewarts.
The package is intended to cover lost future earnings, rehabilitation and the cost of round-the-clock live-in care. More than £1 million is expected to be spent on rehabilitation.
Interim payments made during the legal process helped fund private rehabilitation and care, as well as a new bungalow adapted to his needs.
Speaking about the impact of the accident, Mr Pugh said the fall had turned his life upside down, leaving him unable to work or go out with friends as he had before.
He said the interim payments had been a huge help in securing treatment and rehabilitation, and in finding a suitable home.
The final settlement, he added, would ensure he was comfortable and looked after for the rest of his life.
Despite the lasting effects of his injuries, Mr Pugh has been able to return to some of his former hobbies, including fishing, and is once again able to spend time with friends.
The case highlights the potentially devastating consequences of safety failures when working at height, particularly where complex structures and multiple teams are involved.
