Scalding tragedy prompts safety call

Retired architect Leonard Bussey suffered 22 per cent burns when hot water leaked from a pipe directly over his bed at the Limes Residential Home near Driffield, East Yorkshire.

Mr Bussey, 84, was unable to move or raise the alarm as he was incapacitated by an earlier fall and was suffering from dementia.

He died in hospital two days later as a result of his injuries, Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease being cited as contributing factors.

East Riding Coroner Geoffrey Saul said he would be writing to national trade bodies and the Health and Safety Executive over his concerns about the use of a particular type of plastic pipe in hot water recirculation systems.

The home’s handyman Keith Coultas was called to stop the water after Mr Bussey was found in his room which staff said was full of steam and “like a sauna”.

Mr Coultas told the inquest that he found water coming through the ceiling like a “slow running tap”.

He discovered water running out from a joint between a copper and plastic pipe. “He tried to push the joint back together with his hand but it was too hot,” Mr Saul said.

His colleague Kevin Crossdale visited the home in May this year and found the temperature reading on the boiler to be over 91C, while the recommended maximum temperature stamped on the pipe was 82C.

Mr Crossdale told the court that running water through it at 90C was likely to cause deterioration of the internal pipework.

The jury reached the verdict of accidental death, after being directed by Mr Saul that it was the only possible conclusion.

East Riding Council said it would review its investigation to decide whether legal action would be taken.