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Saurav Ghai |
Town Hall face legal action over death of toddler crushed by wall
THE Town Hall is facing prosecution over a toddler who was crushed to death when a council estate wall collapsed.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has alerted Camden Council that it is preparing a case under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Camden’s deputy housing director Phillip Colligan warned councillors about the likelihood of legal action and potential press coverage in a group email last week.
Saurav, aged two, from Belsize Park, died in January 2007 after a brick wall on the Wendling Estate in Southampton Road, Gospel Oak, suddenly collapsed on top of him in strong winds. He was rushed to the nearby Royal Free Hospital but could not be saved.
A coroner’s jury returned an “accidental death” verdict but stated that there had been defects in the wall and that it had not been made with “usual bricklaying methods”.
Repairs had been made to the wall 10 years before the incident but the contractors who worked on it could not be traced by the HSE.
The New Journal revealed in the immediate aftermath of Saurav’s death, that police had initially considered whether a corporate manslaughter case should be drawn together.
This was not pursued, but the HSE believes the council can be taken to court for breaching safety legislation.
A council spokesman said: “We confirm that the council has been informed that the Health and Safety Executive plans to bring a prosecution.”
Camden Council was fined £40,000 earlier this year after pleading guilty to breaches of safety legislation in relation to the death of Ralph Kennedy, a scaffolder who was electrocuted in Somers Town in September 2006. |
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