Inquest criticises betting chain over sign death of Kiwi lawyer Jacob Marx

Jacob Marx and Natalie Chung were on their OE in London when Mr Marx was killed by a shop sign.

The death of a New Zealand lawyer killed by a falling shop sign in London was due to health and safety failings, an inquest has ruled.

Jacob Marx, 27, who was living in Islington, suffered severe head injuries when he was hit by a 9m metal sign in Camden Town as he walked past a William Hill betting shop in high winds in 2013.

William Hill was criticised for "deficiencies" over the installation and checks on the sign.

Health and Safety Executive inspector Steven Simmons-Jacobs told the inquest that the sign could have fallen down "at any time, with anyone".

The sign was not properly screwed on, and was held up by small "panel pins", which were not designed to hold the weight of a large sign.

Rainwater had poured into the wood behind the sign, causing it to buckle, and no one had checked to see if the sign and its fixings were still in good condition, Mr Simmons-Jacobs told the inquest.

William Hill, Saltwell Signs, which put up the sign, and Acean Builders, which carried out a re-fit, all denied responsibility for checking whether the sign was properly fixed.

The jury at St Pancras Coroner's Court returned a narrative verdict, finding that the reasons for Mr Marx's death were "multi-factorial".

"Despite William Hill having systems in place above the usual standard, there were deficiencies in communication and project management between Acean and William Hill."

Mr Marx, who was from Gisborne, was struck on the head and neck by the sign on January 28, 2013. Several bystanders witnessed what happened, and ran to his aid. They pulled the sign off him before paramedics from a passing ambulance attempted to resuscitate him

He was taken to hospital, but died shortly after.

His girlfriend, Natalie Chung, revealed they had planned to get married. They had been together for nine years and had been in London four months.