First picture of top scientist, 42, who died after 'running into' 11,000 volt fallen electric cable while jogging in field

• James Kew was leading a jogging session with friends from the Saffron Striders when he came into contact with the cable
• He suffered severe burns and was pronounced dead at the scene 

By Emily Allen

James Kew was killed when he came into contact with the cable which completed an 11,000 volt electrical circuit with the ground causing electricity to shoot through his body

A leading scientist has died just two days before his birthday after apparently running into a high voltage electric cable while jogging with members of his running club.
James Kew, 42, who was a top biologist within the research department at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), is believed to have died instantly following the incident at about 8.40pm last night near Debden Road in Newport, Essex.
Dr Kew was leading the Saffron Striders, based in Saffron Walden, through a wheat field when he came into contact with the cable which completed an 11,000 volt electrical circuit with the ground causing electricity to shoot through his body.
The electrical current was so high it caused the surrounding field to set alight in front Dr Kew's shocked running partners.
Dr Kew suffered severe burns and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Paramedics treated two fellow runners at the scene for minor electric shocks, which they suffered as they went to try and help their friend.
Dr Kew was a regular runner, competing in races in the local area, and was also a member of the Bishop's Stortford hockey club.
Saffron Striders chairman Nigel Coates said: 'James joined us in 2010 and soon became an established club runner. He clearly had a natural aptitude for the sport and went on to compete with the club in various competitions and races.

 

'His greatest achievement during his time with the Striders was no doubt at this year’s London Marathon. It was the first marathon he had ever run and he had predicted he would finish in what would have been an excellent time of three and a half hours.

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Tragedy: The jogger was killed after coming into contact with a high voltage cable after fell down in a field

'In fact, on the day he completed the race in an astonishing three hours five minutes, which made him the first Strider to finish and in a time that really was testament to just how good a runner he was.

Dr Kew, pictured with his running club earlier this year, was an avid jogger who competed in this year's London Marathon

'James was quiet and unassuming and a very popular member of the Striders who will be deeply missed. Everyone at the club is absolutely devastated by James’ death and our thoughts go to his family at this incredibly difficult time.
'We would like to thank the emergency services who attended the scene last night.'
In a message on the club's website said: 'It is with the deepest regret that we have to announce the death of James Kew, as a result of a tragic accident while out running.
'Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this very difficult time.'
A spokesman from GlaxoSmithKline said: 'We have been informed of this tragic event and our thoughts are with the friends and family of the man who died.'
One man said he saw the cable hanging earlier in the day.
Peter Ascot, who lives in Newport, was out walking with a group of 10 at about 6.30pm yesterday.
He said: 'We saw the cable hanging low and almost touching the wheat. We all remarked on it at the time.
'I woke up this morning and saw what happened. I feel absolutely dreadful that I didn't report it - you can't help feeling you could have done more. It's unbelievable this has happened. It's absolutely devastating.'

Evidence: Investigators take pictures of where the cable collapsed and right, police have to seal off the field

Death: The burned patch of ground near the field of wheat. The jogger was with at least two others at the time

Dr Kew finished 33rd in this year's Hatfield Broad Oak 10k out of a field of more than 1,000 in a time of 37min 38sec.

One online tribute to Dr Kew read: 'tragic news about @StortfordHockey player James Kew: a lovely guy and good hockey player. Thoughts are with the Kew family.'

Another friend wrote: 'Very sad news about 4th XI and Vets player James Kew who sadly died in a freak accident whilst running yesterday. Condolences to Kew family.'

Dr Kew joined the Centre of Excellence for External Drug Discovery (CEEDD) in 2010 as a Director of Biology, which is a research department at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

Before joining the CEEDD, he spent eight years working within GSK's Central Nervous System (CNS) drug discovery unit, most recently as Director of Molecular & Cellular Biology within the Schizophrenia & Cognitive Disorders Discovery Performance Unit.

Dr Kew was a regular runner, competing in races in the local area, and was also a member for the Bishop's Stortford hockey club. Power cables can be seen hanging down in the field

A piece of cable is photographed lying on the ground and only two of the three power cables hung overhead

Dr Kew obtained his degree at the University of Exeter and studied for his Ph.D. in developmental neuroscience at the University of Cambridge.

He has co-written more than 65 peer-reviewed publications.
This morning a police officer stood watch at edge of the field where the incident happened. An area about half a mile from the nearest road was cordoned off.

Pieces of cable were still visible laying in the field and only two of the usual three power cables hung overhead. There was no sign of a large fire, with an area roughly two square metres seemingly affected.
Police have launched a joint investigation with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.
A fire service spokesman said: 'Crews arriving at the scene requested the attendance of an ambulance for one male casualty suffering severe burns.
'The electricity board was called to isolate power to the cable and at 9.52pm firefighters were standing by as disconnection took place. This has been confirmed as a fatal incident.
'A joint police and fire service investigation will be carried out.'

A spokesman for UK Power Networks refused to comment on reports locally that the low hanging cable had been reported earlier in the evening.
The spokesman said: 'Our engineers were called to an incident at Saffron Walden last night and are currently helping with an investigation.
'Our thoughts at this time are with the family and friends of a man who died and also our employees who helped at the scene.'

 

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