Wessex Water admits health and safety offences over fatal Avonmouth blast
Wessex Water has admitted three health and safety offences over a 2020 explosion at its Avonmouth treatment site that killed four workers, including a teenage apprentice. Sentencing is due in January.
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Wessex Water has pleaded guilty to three health and safety offences over an explosion at its Avonmouth treatment site that killed four workers, including a 16-year-old apprentice.
Luke Wheaton, 16, Ray White, 57, Brian Vickery, 63, and Mike James, 64, died in the blast in Bristol in December 2020. Sentencing is due at Bristol Crown Court on 8 January after Judge Lynn Matthews referred the case there from the magistrates’ court.
Police dropped their manslaughter investigation in 2024. The Health and Safety Executive continued its own investigation and brought charges earlier this year under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Wessex Water entered its guilty pleas at Bristol Magistrates’ Court.
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