Pest controller killed by wasp
Ex-soldier survived being had stung EIGHT times after starting his new job
A FORMER soldier died after being stung by a wasp while in his new job as a pest controller, an inquest heard.
Lee Darker, 48, suffered anaphylactic shock and was pronounced dead after being found unconscious in the passenger seat of his van on September 17.
He did not have any known allergies and had suffered no symptoms when stung eight times by wasps on a separate call-out two weeks earlier.
The married stepfather-of-three started working for Mitie Pest Control in September 2017.
He had previously served in the Royal Lancers for 22 years before leaving in 2010. He was called out
‘Found slumped in his van’
to the home of Royal Army Medical Corps sergeant Colin Lowe at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire following reports of a wasps’ nest in his garage, the inquest in Harrogate heard.
Mr Darker, who lived in Darlington, County Durham, removed the nest but was stung twice.
Sergeant Lowe told the court neither he nor his mother-in-law – who was also at the property – could remember whether Mr Darker had been wearing protective clothing during the pest control work.
He said Mr Darker told him he had been stung but ‘ seemed fine’. Sergeant Lowe added: ‘I returned to work and received a telephone call from my mother-in-law telling me she had gone out to the garage and noticed the man’s work van still parked outside.
‘She went up to the van and found him unresponsive and slumped in the passenger’s seat.
‘I quickly drove home to find my mother-in-law attempting first aid.’ Toxicology testing found elevated levels of the enzymetryptase in Mr Darker’s blood – consistent with anaphylactic shock. Coroner Robert Turnbull recorded a conclusion of misadventure.
He said: ‘It’s a tragic outcome... He was going about his business and died not anticipating this would happen.’
Mr Darker’s wife of 20 years, Barbara, said: ‘He was the kindest man and would not harm a fly. Everyone loved him. He was a fit and healthy person and led an active lifestyle.
‘This was the last thing you thought would have happened, especially considering his background.’
She added: ‘He went on various tours in conflict areas over the time he spent serving in the Army. His death has affected all of us in a most traumatic way as we were a very close family.’