Fitness fanatic ‘crushed to death under a 100kg weightlifting machine while working out in his home gym’
Bodybuilding branding executive Steven Baker was found by his training pal in a home gym with a 100kg weight making a huge 'dent' in his neck
A BODYBUILDING energy drink executive was found crushed under a 100kg weight by his training partner, an inquest heard.
Superfit Steven Baker, 56, was found dead in his home gym with the 15-and-a-half stone barbell pressing into his neck with enough force to leave a “dent”.
Leicester Coroners Court heard how the freak accident triggered a fatal heart attack as Steven struggled to leave the suffered a fatal heart attack after pressure on his neck.
Steven, a branding executive for Wild Cat Drinks, was exercising at home in just a dressing gown and tshirt when he made the fatal decision to release the safety catches on his bench press as he attempted the 100kg lift with no spotter.
Friends have now paid tribute to Steven as a gentle giant.
Training partner Abdullah Bodhaniya, 48, who found his body said: “I have known him for about 15 years and he was a bit of a gym addict, our group of friends all went to different gym and we would meet up to have posing competition and try to out do each other.
“I went in first, because it was dark I told DC (friend Dipak Chauhan) to switch on the light. On the machine I spotted his feet – I looked down, the bar was on his neck.
“The bench was right to the floor and the bar was slanted because one of his hands were trying to push it up.
“It was resting on his arm, the left hand was supporting the bar. The headrest was on the floor.
“I had to climb over it and tell DC to help me put the bar back into the rack above where he was lying. It left a dent in his neck.
“I don’t want to talk about that day as it is too traumatic.
“We all miss him but I feel like we have now got closure on this and can move on from this.
“He was the type of person that if you had a problem he would have a chat with you and make you feel good about yourself.
“I will always remember his dancing when we would go out clubbing, he loved to talk to everyone and always had a massive smile on his face.
“He was a keen writer in his spare time and had just finished a book, his son is hoping to publish it.”
Kayleigh Marie Harris added: “Top bloke. RIP Steve.”
He also worked as managing director for Reece Electronics in Fuengirola, Spain.
Qualified personal trainer and Leicestershire Police PC Ian Bradbury said: “It would be a good quality home gym use, it can be used for a multitude of exercises.
“An average mark for guys would be around 65 to 70kg – 100kg is a big weight but not unobtainable. The machine is perfectly serviceable and safe.”
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