An inquest is being held today (January 29)into the death of a Luton man while he worked on a construction project for the London 2012 Olympics.

Henry Sheridan, 58, of Somerset Avenue, Luton, was working on the Docklands Light Railway at West Ham on December 3, 2008 when he was struck on the head by an excavator bucket from a JCB. He died instantly.

Mr Sheridan, pictured, also known as Harry, a father of two, was a carpenter working on the extension to the West Ham station platform, part of the infrastructure improvements ahead of the Olympics.

Tomorrow's inquest at Walthamstow Coroner's Court will examine the circumstances leading to the death of Mr Sheridan, who was working for London engineering firm Lorclon Ltd.

His family – wife Geraldine and sons Kevin and Gerry – are being represented by lawyer Helen Clifford from Luton law firm Pictons.
Ms Clifford, a construction industry specialist, said: "We must await the inquest's decision on the exact circumstances in which Mr Sheridan so tragically lost his life, and it would unwise and improper to speculate.

"But the importance given to Mr Sheridan's death can be construed by the coroner's decision to sit with a jury.

"In the last year 53 construction workers were killed while at work, the equivalent of one a week. That represents a horrifying loss of life, and we need to do everything possible to make sure that men can go to work without the fear of never returning home."

Mr Sheridan was originally from Bailieborough in Co Cavan, and had played for Luton's Erin Gaels Gaelic football team.

Friend David Kellett told The Irish Times after his death: "Gaelic was his passion. He could talk about it for hours and hours and dedicated years to the development of underage football in Hertfordshire.
"He was a good family man who worked hard all his life."

Lorclon Ltd declined to comment ahead of the inquest.