A Virgin Atlantic engineer died of a traumatic brain injury after an explosion as he worked inside a plane fuel tank, an inquest heard.

Aircraft technician Georgie Buxton, 23, was injured during the incident at Heathrow Airport on 11 June and underwent various surgeries to his head and neck. He died at St Mary’s Hospital on 7 July.

Senior coroner Lydia Brown opened and suspended an inquest into his death at West London Coroners’ Court on Thursday, as she is waiting to see if any criminal charges are brought.

A criminal investigation has been launched by the Metropolitan Police who are working with the Health and Safety Executive. The coroner said she had no details of any potential charges.

Buxton was one of two Virgin Airlines’ technicians who were examining a fuel leak on a Boeing 787 900 on 11 June at about 08:45 BST.

A spokesman for Aviation Policing told the court: “Both technicians wore breathing apparatus to protect them from any residual fuel fumes whilst inside the fuel tank.”

The spokesman said there was “a non-combustion explosion” while Buxton was inside the fuel tank.

He added: “Georgie Buxton took the impact of that explosion to his head and torso causing him to lose consciousness and suffer catastrophic injury.”

A forensic post-mortem examination, carried out at the request of the police, found Buxton had suffered a traumatic brain injury – a craniofacial trauma.

Buxton started working for Virgin Atlantic two years ago, according to his LinkedIn profile, external. He had previously worked in the same role for Ryanair.

The Aviation Policing spokesman described the criminal investigation as being at “a very early stage” and looking into “very serious and complex matters”.

In a personal message to Buxton’s family, the coroner said: “Words just can’t explain how difficult this must be for you, please take our sincere condolences this end.

“We will do whatever we can to make nothing even worse for you and try and explain every process.

“You will be at the heart of any inquiry should that take place in the future.”

A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday: “We are heartbroken to confirm that a much-loved member of our engineering team has passed away.

“Our thoughts are firmly with Georgie’s family, loved ones, friends and colleagues at this incredibly sad and challenging time.”

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