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Man impaled on lamp

31/12/2007

A MAN has died after being impaled on a solar-powered lamp following a Christmas party.

The 23-year-old was visiting friends in Haugh Lane, Newhey, when it is thought that he tripped and fell onto an outdoor light.

He was found collapsed in the back garden at 6am on Boxing Day. He had sustained serious injuries to his neck.

Paramedics were called to the scene but the victim was pronounced dead on arrival.

Stunned neighbours spoke of their shock as news of the sudden death spread throughout the community.

Neighbour Aimee Ashton, who lives on Haugh Lane, said: “I didn’t hear anything when it happened. There wasn’t any noise or commotion.

“I think the man was visiting the house for a Christmas party. It’s obviously very tragic what’s happened, but it sounds like it was an accident so there’s nothing that anyone could have done about it.

“The police made house-to-house inquiries on Boxing Day to see if we knew anything about what had happened, but I didn’t. It’s a real tragedy.”

A police spokesman confirmed that an investigation has been launched, but the death is being treated as non-suspicious.

The death has been reported to the coroner.