The daughter of a woman who died after falling into a pub cellar is calling for stricter regulations following the sentencing of the pub landlords. Olwen Collier fell into the cellar of the Stag and Pheasant in Carmel, south Wales, while decorating a function room for her daughter’s 50th birthday. The poor signage meant she opened the wrong door and tragically suffered a fractured skull. She died from her injuries in January 2023.
The pub landlords, Philip and Tracy Hawkins, pleaded guilty to health and safety failings and were given suspended sentences of 18 weeks. Allison Raymond, the deceased woman’s daughter, believes the sentences were too lenient and wants the Hawkins to be stripped of their pub license. She claims her mother’s death highlighted major failings and inadequacies in the running of the pub.
Aled Owen, the Hawkins’ solicitor, described the incident as a “tragic accident.” However, Raymond feels there should be changes in how pubs are operated to prevent similar accidents in the future. She wants tougher regulations to ensure the safety of customers and staff and believes the pub’s failings support her call for change.
Carmarthenshire County Council confirmed that the pub complies with all health and safety standards and that the incident was a “unique and unusual combination of factors.” Nonetheless, the council hopes that lessons will be learnt from this tragedy, and businesses must take note of shortcomings identified to prevent future accidents.
Raymond believes her mother’s death was entirely avoidable and hopes that tougher regulations will prevent similar accidents from happening again
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