A TRACTOR which overturned killing an award-winning forestry student had faulty brakes. Gerallt Owain Edwards was trapped beneath the tractor cab as he drove down a steep narrow lane at Nant Bwlch yr Haearn, between Capel Curig and Llanrwst. Yesterday an inquest heard his boss Dafydd Cadwaladr Owen faces prosecution for the faulty brakes. A well-known international axeman who runs a Bethesda-based company specialising in tree work, he is due to appear before Llandudno Magistrates on August 4. Mr Edwards, the Royal Forestry Society's 2002 student of the year was working for Owen while studying at Glynllifon College, near Caernarfon. On the day of the tragedy - October 26, 2004 - the 21-year-old, of Erw Las, Bethesda, was in the area removing timber. The Prestatyn hearing was told he had already taken one larger trailer-load down the hill without any problems. New Zealander Gordon Carran was in Britain demonstrating wood chopping at shows. He told police investigators he got to know Mr Edwards well and they were good friends. They were working with tree surgeon Andrew Fowler on the day of the tragedy. Mr Carran drove ahead to stop vehicles going up the lane as Mr Edwards came down towards the A5 at the Ugly House. He said he remembered Mr Fowler shouting the tractor had overturned even though the trailer remained upright. "I can't understand what happened. Gareth (Gerallt) was such a careful guy and always did everything right. "He always wanted things to be just right," said Mr Carran, who has since returned to New Zealand. Mr Edwards, a former pupil of Ysgol Gynradd Llanllechid and Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen, was pronounced dead at the scene. Collision investigator PC James Nobbs said there were no seat-belts or restraints fitted - the tractor was exempt. The court heard Mr Edwards appeared to have tried to jump out of the cab. Police vehicle examiner Kenneth Stone said extensive tests were carried out on the tractor and trailer. They revealed the tractor's hydraulic braking system was defective. Fluid contamination showed it was a long-standing fault. "It would have been a contributory factor to the accident," said Mr Stone. Recording a verdict of accidental death North Wales central coroner John Hughes said it was not known exactly what caused the tractor to overturn. Mr Edwards lived at home with his parents Derfel and Cheryl Edwards. His mother said: "He was a model son. He was a very popular lad and never over-stepped the mark." gareth.hughes@dailypost.co.uk | 
