THE angry wife of a labourer killed when the scoop of a building digger fell onto his head says "someone should answer for it".

Bernie Fox was speaking after an inquest into the death of her husband Gerald held at Westminster Coroner's Court.

Mr Fox, of Sidcup Road, Mottingham, died on the couple's 29th wedding anniversary in August 28, 2007, while working for building firm Euro Earthworks Limited on a site in Chelsea.

The 58-year-old was killed instantly when the digger's scoop, which was filled with wet concrete, came loose and fell on him.

Following recommendations from coroner Paul Knapman, the inquest jury returned a narrative verdict and blamed Mr Fox's death on the fact a safety pin had not been inserted into the digger's arm.

Mrs Fox, 62, said: "Somebody forgot to put the safety pin in and they don't deserve to get away with it "I am very angry but unfortunately this won't bring him back."

She added: "I hope the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) press charges in a court case because someone should answer for it."

The inquest had previously heard evidence from HSE inspector Tarran Hewitt, who said the hydraulics of the digger had been leaking before the incident.

He said: "This would not have stopped the machine from working but it does mean the insertion of the safety pin becomes more and more important.

"If the hydraulics are not working then it cannot handle the weight. That's where the safety pin comes in."

Mr Fox, who died after suffering multiple injuries, had two children - son Alan, 27, and 29-year-old daughter Carrie.

HIs daughter was due to get married three weeks after the tragedy and decided to go ahead with the ceremony after talking it through with her family.

Mrs Fox, who works as a shop assistant in Eltham, said: "It was such a difficult decision to make but in the end she decided it was what Gerald would have wanted.

"Her brother gave her away at the wedding instead of her dad."

She added: "I am so lonely without him. It is so strange living in an empty house. You hear and notice noises you didn't used to because it is so quiet."