In a tragic incident that highlights the importance of safety protocols in construction and maintenance, Staines Steel Gate Company has been fined £90,000 for its role in the death of 16-year-old Reece Gething. The teenager was fatally injured in February 2020 when a wall, compromised by inadequate safety checks, collapsed on him in Aldershot, Hampshire.
The Incident
Reece Gething was crushed by a free-standing wall in a car park behind Ford Mears funeral directors on Birchett Road. The wall had been previously damaged by a lorry, and the company was responsible for fitting a chain to it to prevent unauthorized parking. It was while Reece and his friends were jumping on this chain that the wall collapsed, causing fatal head and internal injuries.
Court Proceedings and Sentence
Staines Steel Gate Company admitted to failing to perform necessary safety checks when fitting the chain. Winchester Crown Court heard the case, where Judge Angela Morris condemned the company’s “lamentable lack of care” and stated that the firm had paid “precious little attention” to its statutory duty. Despite the hefty fine, there is little expectation of payment due to the company being in liquidation.
Family’s Tribute to Reece Gething
Reece’s parents, Haylie Isom and Kevin Gething, remembered their son as “big-hearted” and “cheeky.” They shared memories of Reece as an adventurous outdoor enthusiast, acknowledging his youthful rebelliousness and expressing their profound loss.
Legal and Financial Repercussions
Besides the fine, the company’s insurers will compensate the teenager’s family with £15,120 and cover nearly £53,000 in legal costs for Rushmoor Borough Council, which brought the prosecution. The council emphasized the need for rigorous assessment of such structures to prevent similar tragedies.
Rushmoor Borough Council’s Statement
Councillor Maurice Sheehan, Deputy Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council, expressed his hope that Reece’s legacy would be a safer future where no such incidents occur again, underscoring the importance of thorough safety assessments in public and private constructions.
Conclusion
This incident is a stark reminder of the critical importance of adhering to health and safety regulations in all construction and maintenance work. The tragic loss of Reece Gething serves as a cautionary tale about the potentially dire consequences of negligence in such matters.
