Telford factory facing manslaughter charge after employee was killed by unguarded flywheel
A Telford firm has been charged with corporate manslaughter after an employee was fatally injured by an unguarded flywheel.
Steven Westbrook, aged 47, was seriously injured by the equipment while working at GKN Autostructures Ltd on December 13, 2018.
Mr Westbrook was given advanced trauma care at the scene by paramedics, before being taken to the major trauma centre at The Royal Stoke University Hospital. He died four days later.
The firm, now known as Autostructures UK Ltd, has also been charged with failing to discharge the employer’s general duty under the Health and Safety Act at work as well as corporate manslaughter.
Four managers have also been charged with failing to discharge the employer’s general duty under the Health and Safety Act at work. They are Timothy Mitchell, aged 48, of Rodington Heath in Shrewsbury; Jack Fallows, aged 33, Moss Drive in Newport; Julie Pearce, aged 55, of Sweet Chestnut Grove, The Rock in Telford and Andrea Iacchetti, aged 50, who currently resides in Italy.
Those charged appeared at Telford Magistrates' Court today.
No plea was entered on behalf of the three male and one female managers or the corporation.
Chairman of the bench at Telford Magistrates Court, Mr Johnathon Burton, sent the case to Shrewsbury Crown Court where all four are to appear before a judge on May 21.
Mr Westbrook’s family have paid tribute to him, saying he is "deeply missed".
The statement says: “The loss of Steven has been painful for everyone who knew him, he is deeply missed by all his family and friends. Sadly missed, never forgotten.”
