Tragic Death of Teen Worker Sparks £233k Fine for Poultry Farm
Tragedy hit Tracy Spencer’s family when her 19-year-old son Ben was crushed to death at Sunrise Poultry Farms in Loughborough. Ben had only been on the job for two weeks when the fatal accident happened on April 12, 2021.
Heartbroken Mum Opens Up About Agonising Loss
“My life revolved around Ben because it was always just the two of us,” Tracy revealed. “Now I’ve got no life. I keep my distance from everyone because I can’t cope with feeling close to anyone—even my own family.”
She clings to memories of better days: “I dream of Ben when he was younger. I’d give anything to be back on the cold sidelines watching him play football.”
Safety Failures Blamed for Fatal Accident
The fatal incident occurred as a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) manoeuvred near a narrow path at the farm’s Seagrave Road site. Ben was walking towards the vehicle when he was crushed between it and a wall.
Investigations by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Sunrise Poultry Farms had failed to provide adequate measures to separate pedestrians from moving vehicles.
Sunrise Poultry Farms Fined £233,000 Over Death
The farm pleaded guilty to breaching safety regulations and was slapped with a £233,000 fine plus £8,841 in costs during a hearing at 1 Magistrates’ Court on November 22, 2023.
Tracy still struggles daily: “I can’t bring myself to enter Ben’s bedroom—it’s exactly how he left it. I cry whenever I leave the house and when I come back because he’s just not there.”
HSE Warns Employers: Prioritise Worker Safety
HSE Enforcement Lawyer Andy Siddall said: “Accidents like this shouldn’t happen. No mother should have to hold her dying son in the workplace.” He urged businesses to carefully assess and control risks involving workplace transport.
HSE inspector Alex Nayar expressed sympathy for Ben’s loved ones and warned that this tragedy could have been avoided with proper safety precautions.
