After four years of investigation, police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have announced that there will be no manslaughter charges in connection with the deaths of two demolition workers at an abandoned steelworks.
John Mackay, 49, and Tommy Williams, 65, died after an explosion at the former British Steel Teesworks site in Redcar on September 19, 2019.
John F Hunt was the demolition contractor working on site, for client South Tees Site Company.
A statement released by the HSE said that following “a thorough joint investigation by Cleveland Police and the HSE”, they have determined there is insufficient evidence to support charges of manslaughter or gross negligence corporate involuntary.
HSE Chief Inspector John Heslop said: “While some of these developments are difficult for the families of John and Tom, I have assured them that the criminal investigation into their deaths remains ongoing.
“We also made it clear that our investigation will be thorough, while recognizing the desire for a quick conclusion.”
The investigation is still evaluating possible criminal charges and Cleveland Police are supporting the investigation. Cleveland Police and the HSE have not specified what other possible criminal charges are being assessed.
A spokesman for the South Tees Site Company said: “Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of John Mackay and Tom Williams following this tragic and devastating incident four years ago. We have always fully supported the need for an extensive investigation and detailed about this tragedy and the process to provide important answers to the families.
“We will continue to work with the Health and Safety Executive to provide all necessary assistance with the investigation as it moves towards a conclusion.”
Formerly part of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the company has been a wholly owned subsidiary of South Tees Development Corporation since October 2020.
John F Hunt and Nationwide Platforms have been contacted for comment.
In June 2022, John Mackay’s widow said Ann BBC news who was growing increasingly frustrated by the long wait to find out what happened to her husband, who worked on-site for Nationwide Platforms.
“Two men lost their lives and nobody seems to care,” he said.
At the beginning of this year, Construction news highlighted the proliferation of fatal health and safety cases that take years to investigate, leaving families in the dark as to why their loved ones died and the industry failing to learn lessons to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
