Care home and charity charged after wheelchair users killed in Devon boat incident

Care home and charity charged with corporate manslaughter after wheelchair users killed in boat incident Devon residents Alex Wood, 43, and Alison Tilsley, 63, both of whom used wheelchairs, died in the incident, while a woman in her 50s sustained serious injuries - Bookmark Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in A care home and a charitable trust have been charged with corporate manslaughter following a fatal incident in which two wheelchair users drowned when their boat capsized during an outing. Emergency services attended Roadford Lake, near Okehampton in Devon, after a wheelchair-accessible vessel began taking on water, leading to six people entering the water. The craft had been carrying a group on a day trip from Burdon Grange Care Home in Beaworthy, Devon. Devon residents Alex Wood, 43, and Alison Tilsley, 63, both of whom used wheelchairs, died in the incident, while a woman in her 50s sustained serious injuries. Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that Burdon Grange Care Home and Bude-based South West Lakes Trust have now been charged by postal requisition with corporate manslaughter. The care home has also been charged with an offence under section two of the Health and Safety at Work Act, relating to an alleged failure to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees. South West Lakes Trust also faces a charge under section three of the Health and Safety at Work Act, relating to an alleged failure to ensure that persons not in its employment were not exposed to risks to their health or safety. A police spokesman said the case would be heard before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on November 11. “The charges follow a lengthy and complex investigation led by Devon and Cornwall Police alongside the Health and Safety Executive and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch,” he added. The Crown Prosecution Service stated it decided to prosecute the care home and trust over the deaths, as well as the health and safety offences. Malcolm McHaffie, of the special crime division, said: “This follows the capsize of a boat on June 8 2022 on Roadford Lake Reservoir with six people on board and the deaths of 63-year-old Alison Tilsley and 43-year-old Alex Wood. “Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings. “We have worked carefully with Devon and Cornwall Police as they carried out their investigation. “Our thoughts remain with the families of Alison Tilsley and Alex Wood at this time.” A spokeswoman for Burdon Grange Care Home Limited described the incident in which two residents died as “tragic”. “Our thoughts remain with the families of the two residents who died and with everyone affected by the tragedy,” she said. “We remain committed to providing safe, compassionate and high-quality care for our residents and to supporting their families and our team.” She added that, as legal proceedings were active, it would not be appropriate for the company to comment further at this time. [Image text:] BREAKING NEWS