Steel Firm Fined £90k After Teen Crushed to Death by Collapsing Wall
A shocking tragedy has rocked Hampshire after 16-year-old Reece Gething was killed when a wall collapsed on him. Now, Staines Steel Gate Company has been slammed with a hefty £90,000 fine for their safety failures.
The Fatal Collapse
Reece was crushed under a freestanding wall in a car park behind Ford Mears funeral directors on Birchett Road, Aldershot. The wall had been damaged earlier by a lorry and was supposed to be secured with a chain fitted by the steel company to stop unauthorised parking. But safety checks were woefully inadequate.
Tragically, Reece and his friends were jumping on the chain when the unstable wall gave way, causing fatal head and internal injuries.
Company Admits Neglect in Court
Staines Steel Gate Company pleaded guilty to failing to carry out essential safety inspections during the chain installation. At 1 Crown Court, Judge Angela Morris blasted the firm’s “lamentable lack of care,” saying they had shown “precious little attention” to their legal duties.
Despite the fat £90k penalty, payment looks unlikely as the company has since gone into liquidation.
Family Pay Tribute to ‘Big-Hearted’ Reece
Reece’s parents, Haylie Isom and Kevin Gething, remembered their son as “big-hearted” and “cheeky.” They fondly recalled his love of the outdoors and his spirited nature, mourning their devastating loss.
Financial Fallout and Council Response
- The company’s insurers will fork out £15,120 in compensation to Reece’s family.
- Nearly £53,000 in legal costs will be covered for Rushmoor Borough Council, which prosecuted the case.
- Councillor Maurice Sheehan, Deputy Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council, stressed the need for stringent safety assessments to avoid future tragedies.
Safety Warning After Tragic Accident
This heartbreaking incident shines a harsh spotlight on the crucial need for strict adherence to health and safety rules in construction and maintenance. Reece’s death is a sobering reminder of the deadly cost of negligence.
