Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
A tragic incident involving two wheelchair users drowning and a third suffering serious injuries during a day trip resulted in a care home being ordered to pay over £200,000 for its failure to conduct basic safety checks. The incident took place at Roadford Lake near Launceston, Cornwall, in June 2022, when a leaking boat capsized, trapping the victims in their heavy electric wheelchairs. The victims included former rugby player Alex Wood, 43, and Alison Tilsley, 63, who sadly did not survive, while Kate Dart sustained serious injuries as a result.
The court heard that the group from Burdon Grange Care Home in Devon had hired a “wheelyboat” specifically designed for wheelchair users, which ultimately took on water and flipped. District Judge Stuart Smith described the case as “devastating, harrowing and absolutely tragic,” highlighting the home’s negligence in overlooking potential risks and falsely relying on the boat hirers to ensure safety checks were carried out. Marine investigators later discovered that the boat had not been properly maintained, contributing to the tragic outcome.
Despite efforts to rescue the victims, the court learned that one staff member became trapped under the boat for 15 minutes, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Mr. Wood, a father of four who had moved to the care home following a rugby injury in 2011, was mourned by his family, with his wife Tamsin expressing her devastation in court. The incident led to Burdon Grange Care Home Ltd admitting three charges of failing to provide safe care under health and social care laws, resulting in a £180,000 fine, along with additional costs and a victim surcharge.
In response to the tragic events, Burdon Grange expressed remorse for the pain and suffering experienced by the families and friends of the victims, stating their commitment to deliver high-quality care moving forward. Catherine Campbell, deputy director of the Care Quality Commission in Devon, condemned the home’s failure to address clear dangers, which endangered the lives of vulnerable individuals. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and adherence to regulations in care facilities to prevent such devastating incidents from reoccurring
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.