Widow Files Lawsuit Against Energy Firm After Gardener Electrocuted While Cutting Hedge

The widow of a landscape gardener who died after being electrocuted while trimming hedges is taking legal action against a power company.

Blair Campbell, 35, was working on an ivy-covered bush at a property in Cheshire in October 2022 when he accidentally cut through live wires connected to a pole-mounted substation.

The father of two was airlifted to hospital but died shortly afterwards.

An inquest held in 2024 found that dense ivy growth had obscured warning signs on the substation, leaving Mr Campbell unaware he was working near high-voltage electricity.

His widow, Tina Liu-Campbell, 42, is now suing SP Manweb, the electricity network operator responsible for maintaining the site.

Lawyers representing the family argue that multiple safety failures contributed to the incident. These include claims that the company did not adequately protect the public from dangerous equipment, failed to maintain the area safely, and allowed vegetation to conceal critical warning signs. It is also alleged that the high-voltage wires were not properly insulated or safeguarded.

SP Manweb, a subsidiary of Scottish Power, has denied liability but said it has since updated its health and safety procedures.

Mrs Liu-Campbell, from Knutsford, said the loss of her husband had devastated the family.

“Our future together has been taken from me and the children, and it’s still incredibly difficult to come to terms with,” she said. “No one expects their husband to go to work and never come home.”

She added that she is seeking “clarity and justice” and hopes lessons will be learned to prevent similar tragedies.

“I never imagined I would have to take this to the High Court, but I feel I owe it to Blair and our children to ensure what happened is fully understood,” she said.

The inquest heard that concerns about the overgrown ivy had been raised before the incident but were not addressed. A warning sign indicating a risk of death was also found to have been obscured.

Steve Hill, a workplace accident lawyer representing the family, said the evidence raised serious concerns about safety at the site and called on the company to resolve the case swiftly.

A spokesperson for SP Energy Networks said the company extends its condolences to Mr Campbell’s family but declined further comment due to ongoing legal proceedings.