Explosion caused Leeds Beckett University worker fatal head injuries
A Leeds Beckett University worker died from head injuries when his house exploded while he was inside, an inquest has heard.
A coroner’s court heard that Paul Wilmott, 63, was found fully clothed in the rubble of his home, in Haxby near York, shortly after 8am last Friday.
The sound engineer had a significant injury to the top of his head and face and was pronounced dead shortly after being discovered.
Speaking at Yorks Coroner’s Court, senior coroner Jonathan Leach said: “At around 7.30am on the February 19, there was a report of an explosion in Haxby. Police attended and found 20 Springwood, Haxby, totally demolished.”
A post mortem found he died from a fractured skull and brain injuries.
Mr Wilmott had been with his partner, Olivia, for over nine years and had a son, Ian.
His family earlier this week described him as the “kindest, gentlest person”.
In a statement they said: “Paul had worked for many years at Leeds Beckett University as the specialist sound engineer with the video production unit. He had been a volunteer with York Hospital Radio since he was a young man.”
His inquest will resume later in the year.