Man stabs himself while cutting up burgers

Barry Griffiths, 57, was found dead on July 4 last year after fears were raised that he had not been seen for over a week, the Western Telegraph reported.

At an inquest at Pontypridd Coroner's Court on Monday, coroner Patricia Morgan said the death of Mr Griffiths, who had limited use of one arm following a stroke, was “most likely” an accident after he ripped the burgers apart while frying them.

The inquest heard that Mr Griffiths, described as a “private man”, was found in his bed at his supported accommodation facility, fully clothed and with a bleeding wound to his abdomen.

Detective Sergeant Stephen Vaughan, who visited the apartment, said in his testimony that he was convinced it was not a suicide, but described the death as “unexplained”.

There was no evidence that he had been attacked, he said at the inquest.

Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Rees told the inquest that in his opinion the wound was caused by an accident involving Mr Griffiths alone.

He added: 'The bottom drawer of the freezer had been left open and pulled forward to access the food.

“On the kitchen worktop next to the fridge-freezer were two raw burgers, a knife and a tea towel.

“The wound on the abdomen would have been approximately at the level of the work surface. My hypothesis at this point was that Mr Griffiths was trying to cut up frozen burgers with a knife.”

Coroner Patricia Morgan concluded that Mr Griffiths most likely died in an accident while preparing frozen food for cooking.

She said: “I realise that this is a difficult and traumatic statement to hear.”

“Thank you for your patience during the investigation. I would like to express my condolences during this difficult time.”