Oldham man died at vigil for his nephew after firework 'exploded in his face', inquest hears

John Thomas Harwood, known as Tom, was at a vigil organised in memory of his nephew Reiss Jarvis, 21, and his work colleague Karl Young, 34, who both died after a one-car crash on Huddersfield Road in Delph on November 10 last year.

Reiss Jarvis

Karl Young

Following the tragedy, a memorial event was held nine days later, at 7pm on November 19, near the site where the crash happened.

Around 100 people attended the event.

Father-of-two Tom, who was a landlord, helped to organise the vigil, which took place near Delph and Dobcross Cricket Club, and fireworks were being set off on a field.

Rochdale Coroner’s Court heard a statement from Barry Jones, who attended the event, and described how they returned to a firework, which had not been set off.

When they approached and took a closer look, Mr Jones said the firework “exploded into our faces” and there was “smoke everywhere”.

He then saw Tom next to him injured and emergency services were called.

First aid was given, including by a nurse, to help stop Tom's bleeding, before paramedics arrived and took him to the Salford Royal Hospital. 

Tom was given treatment for the next week but he had suffered an “unsurvivable” brain injury and he died on November 26.

His organs were donated, the court heard.

Tom’s sister Karen, who was at the inquest, said hospital staff did all they could for her brother and thanked them with flowers.

The 52-year-old's cause of death was recorded as catastrophic traumatic head injury, assistant coroner for Manchester North, Julie Robertson, said.

Following his death, police investigated and found there were no suspicious circumstances.

It was found that fireworks had been set off from a handmade plastic launch tube.

Ms Robertson said it was strange that Tom, who had the experience of setting off fireworks before, returned to the lit firework and hopes other people can learn from what happened. 

She warned of “caution in fireworks” and not going back to them if they have not been discharged.

She acknowledged that Mr Jones was very fortunate not to have been badly injured too.

The conclusion of Tom’s death was recorded as an accident.

The coroner also expressed her condolences and said it was very sad that someone else in Reiss’s family died so soon after he did.

“It is a deeply regrettable set of circumstances”, she added.