15-04-2025
Pontins owner charged with corporate manslaughter after grandmother death
The owner of Pontins holiday parks has been charged with corporate manslaughter after an air conditioning duct fell on guests at a people were injured at Pontins Brean Sands, Somerset. when a section of the ceiling and ducting inside its entertainment centre, called The Fun Factory, collapsed in February them was grandmother Wendy Jones, 68. She spent the final six months of her life in hospital before she died on 4 August parent company, Britannia Jinky Jersey, will appear in court next is part of the Britannia Hotels group. The BBC has contacted Britannia for comment.
In addition, contractor Stephen Bennison, 58, from Faringdon in Lancashire, has been charged with an offence under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.A BBC News special report into the incident last year highlighted the concerns from a former employee about the installation of insulation on top of the ceiling and ducting in 2015.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said in 2019 that the incident involved the collapse of approximately 40m (131ft) of structural ducting and ceiling sections, exposing live damaged 100 people were in the entertainment hall about to play bingo when the collapse charges follow a joint investigation by Avon and Somerset Police and Somerset Supt Roger Doxsey, senior investigating officer, said: "First and foremost our thoughts are with the family of Wendy Jones."This has been a complex investigation and we're grateful for the support of Somerset Council and other partners to reach this stage."The defendants are due to appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court on 6 May.
