A MUCH-LOVED father who died after a tree hit his van during Storm Eunice in Hampshire was sent to work despite a weather warning, an inquest heard.

Jack Bristow was just 23-years-old when he died travelling back home from work during the terrifying storm.

He had been working for Hooke Highways Limited for less than six months when he volunteered to work a job on February 18, this year. The father, who lived in Oxfordshire, was travelling home from the Alton depot after completing the job in Woking when the tragic incident happened.

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An inquest into Mr Bristow's death was held on Tuesday, October 4 at Winchester Coroner's Court by area coroner Jason Pegg.

The inquest heard that Mr Bristow was a passenger in the van alongside Calum Smith, when an 18 tonne tree hit their cab on Old Odiham Road at around 11.45am. He suffered a severe head injury and died instantly.

A major incident was declared in the county by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum due to the potential for severe travel disruption and risk to life earlier this year when the storm hit.

Mr Bristow's parents and girlfriend attended the hearing, alongside Aine Montague, head of human resources at Hooke Highways Limited.

Giving evidence, Ms Montague explained that on February 17, as Storm Eunice hit, Hooke Highways Limited made the decision to cancel all new and non-essential jobs. However, jobs that required equipment to be re-enforced or removed during the strong winds were continued to prevent risk that loose equipment would cause danger. Meaning Mr Bristow was required to work that day.

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Risk assessments were made and it was deemed that operatives work in teams of two, stay in touch with managers and return to the depot as quickly as possible after completing work.

Describing Storm Eunice as an 'unusual event', with the drivers unable to foresee the falling tree, Mr Pegg gave a conclusion of an accident.