13.07.2005

Telehandler burial

Christopher McGarva aged only 35, was considered to be the heaviest man in the UK at over 400 kilos (900lbs). When he died prematurely in June of a heart attack, undertaker, Robert Holland was given the challenge of burying him.

The problems began at the home of the deceased, the ambulance crew had been unable to carry him out through the door and McGarva had died while they tried to remove a window and enlage the opening. In the end firemen made a hole in the wall large enough to bring him out.

The coffin measured two metres long by 1.2 metres wide and almost a metre deep. The total weight with Mr McGarva inside was over half a tonne.

A land Rover and trailer was used to take the coffin to the cemetery as it was too large for the hearse.
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A JCB telehandler lowers britains heaviest man into his final resting place

The most difficult challenge was moving the coffin from the trailer and lowering it into the ground with the dignity and grace that are appropriate for such an event. A JCB Loadall telescopic handler was drafted in for the job, which it carried out perfectly.