Inquest told Jake Herring was 'too young and inexperienced'

The inquest into the death of Burnham 19-year-old Jake Herring continued at Windsor Guildhall today.

The trainee design engineer who lived in Pevensey Road in Slough died suddenly on March 30, 2009, at work at Grundfos Pumps Ltd in Fairacres Industrial Estate, Dedworth Road, Windsor.

The jury heard today that he had died as a result of electrocution.

The seven-day schedule resumed with Berkshire coroner Peter Bedford reading statements and hearing testimonies from witnesses who were colleagues of Jake four years ago.

Roger Scully - a panel wire man who had worked at Grundfos for about five years - described the moments after Jake was shocked.

He fell unconscious but was able to stand up and walk outside unassisted about a minute later.

However, he lost consciousness again and did not wake up despite the efforts of his colleagues to resuscitate him.

He later died after being transferred to Wexham Park hospital.

Mr Scully said Jake had not turned off a necessary unit before connecting a device to a control panel he was testing.

"He was a young lad who made a mistake," he said.

"He was a lovely young lad, always laughing and joking around.

"It was workshop banter; I used to joke with him.

"Overall he was a great apprentice, he was just too young and inexperienced [for that] work."

He added that Jake should have been supervised, and that kind of work was usually a two-man job due to its dangerous nature.

Proceedings were moved to Windsor Guildhall today after they had temporarily taken place at Maidenhead Town Hall yesterday because of the Irish state visit.

The inquest continues.

Click here for a report of day one of the inquest.