Witness may hold vital clues to friend’s death

MYSTERY still surrounds the death of a man who died in Oldham town centre from a fatal head injury — because a crucial witness failed to attend his inquest yesterday.

The family of David Allen, who died in March 2010, opted to adjourn proceedings until Ben Arthurs can be present in court, as he may reveal extra information. Mr Allen (33) died after a fall on Horsedge Street fractured his skull.

David had left his home on Bateson Way, St Mary’s, to meet friends in a pub in Lord Street at around 4pm on March 19. When he left the pub at about 5.15pm, he saw friends Ben Heffron and Ben Arthurs standing across the road and they stood talking until 6.15pm, when they walked towards Mr Heffron’s house in Horsedge Street.

Mr Heffron’s father, Thomas, said: “They were all drunk, but having a good time. They walked about 60 yards away from the house, then David tripped and fell off the kerb, falling on to his back and hitting his head.”

Mr Allen landed in the middle of the road and the two other men tried to move him to the pavement.

When they tried to sit him up he fell back and hothis head a second time.

Mr Allen was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital where it was found he had a severe fracture at the back of his skull. Despite emergency surgery he didn’t survive and was pronounced dead at 1.25am the following morning.

Though a pathologist suggested the injury was in accord with the reported events, he couldn’t rule out the possibility that Mr Allen was pushed off the pavement.

Mr Allen’s family chose to adjourn the inquest after hearing that his father believed Mr Arthurs had been threatening David before his death, and thought Mr Arthurs’ evidence could provide better insight into the events.

Coroner Simon Nelson told the court he wouldn’t hesitate to issue a warrant for the mising witness’s arrest if he found he had flouted a summons to attend: “That is how seriously I take the absence of a witness,” he said.