Manslaughter Verdicts on Firefighter Deaths

[brothermagrew]

A fireworks factory owner and his son have been convicted of the manslaughter of two firefighters killed in an explosion at the East Sussex site. Geoff Wicker, 49, and Brian Wembridge, 63, who served with East Sussex fire and rescue service, were killed in the blast at Marlie Farm in Shortgate, near Lewes on 3 December 2006. Alfa Fireworks owner Martin Winter, 52, and his son Nathan, 25, were 'grossly negligent' as they knew an unlicensed metal container packed with fireworks could explode if a blaze broke out, Lewes crown court heard. They received jail sentences of seven years and five years respectively. The company was found guilty of two breaches of health and safety legislation. As well as killing the two firefighters, the blast injured 20 others, mainly police and fire officers. Prosecutors argued that the Winters were aware of the hazards posed by housing such fireworks in a metal container. The jury accepted the prosecution's case that the head of the company owed a duty of care to everyone who might come in contact with the fireworks, and that he was 'grossly negligent' in making arrangements for their storage. The firework-packed metal container which exploded was unlicensed for storage by Festival Fireworks. Jurors were told it was obvious to both Nathan and Martin Winter of the potential for a huge blast to have occurred if a blaze broke out.

http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-17363-f0.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BELIAL]

Fair enough but quite a lot of relevant stuff is swept under the carpet in that report. The jury was informed of the fire teams failure to follow established procedure at the scene ,ie relevant safety and exclusion zones. Also the defendants were arrested and restrained at the scene because of their increasingly desperate attempts to convince the fire teams to retire to a safe distance. Changes the whole complexion when you add those facts don't you think