Police and the Health and Safety Executive are continuing to investigation the death of a worker in an incident at a farm in Lytham almost two years on. Czech-born Jiri Kulovaney, 44, lost his life in August 2024, an inquest review at Blackpool Town Hall heard. The location was given as Lawns Farm, which is in Ballam Road. No details of the incident were given at the hearing but senior investigating police officer Det Insp Andrew Crook said the joint investigation was still under way and a spokesperson for Lancashire Police told The Gazette afterwards: “We can confirm a joint investigation with HSE is ongoing. No arrests at this time.” Assistant coroner Timothy Holloway said he was unable to set a date for an inquest while the police were still investigating but indicated that when it does take place, it is likely to be heard by a jury. Under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, a jury must be called if the death occurred due to a notifiable accident, which commonly includes fatal accidents at work or severe health and safety failures. The cause of Mr Kulovaney’s death wasn’t given at the review hearing. Mr Holloway said a key question is whether Mr Kulovaney was an employee or a contractor at the time of the incident and asked for a flow chart which identifies which companies were involved at the farm at the time and Mr Kulovaney’s part within those companies. He asked for the chart within 56 days and also said he needed to know who was contracted to whom and in what context. Mr Holloway said he hoped to hold a further review as soon as possible after September 1, depending on the status of the police and HSE investigation, and that at least one further review was possible before a date could be set for the inquest.
