‘Devastation everywhere’

Company on trial over 2015 explosion

AN EXPLOSION at a mill which killed four people – including a man from the Staffordshire Moorlands – and injured many others, has been described as like ‘something from a movie.’

The blast at Bosley Mill near Congleton on July 17, 2015, claimed the life of Will Barks, aged 51, a maintenance fitter from Cheddleton.

Also killed were cleaner Dorothy Bailey, 62 from Bosley, Derek Moore, also 62, a mill worker, from Goldenhill, and Jason Shingler, 38, of Congleton, whose body has never been recovered.

The company, Wood Treatment Limited, is on trial at Chester Crown Court charged with four offences of corporate manslaughter.

Director George Boden, aged 64, of Stockport, denies four charges of gross negligence manslaughter and a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Managers, Philip Smith, aged 58, of Macclesfield, and Peter Shingler, aged 56, of Bosley, also deny a charge under the Health and Safety Act.

Prosecutor Tony Badenoch QC told the trial at Chester Town Hall that fire crews described the scene when the arrived as ‘like out of the movies.’

“There were obvious casualties, people receiving immediate care, and walking wounded evidently suffering from burns. There were about 20 dazed and shell-shocked people standing in the road.

“The fire continued to take hold not least because there was so much flammable material at the mill. The early period post explosion saw the site treated as a rescue scene in the hope of finding missing persons alive. Regrettably, this was not to be the case.

“Will Barks (below) was located on July 19, 2015. Dorothy Bailey was on July 21. Derek Moore was located on July 23. The search continued for Jason Shingler but he has never been located.

“Over time, 800 tonnes of rubble were moved.”

Mr Badenoch said that the only credible cause for the explosion was a ‘massive explosion of wood dust – a ‘highly flammable and explosable material.’

He said the mill had about 50 staff, many who had worked there for decades, and following the blast they spoke to authorities about health and safety standards. He said: “Chargehands, electricians, fitters, and labourers spoke, almost universally, of deterioration at the mill since the Bodens had taken over.”

The court was shown video footage taken by employees who had ‘serious concerns’ about safety at the mill. Mr Badenoch said: “There is some evidence that the employees’ concerns were met with this response: ‘we’re not making any profits, we need to make money.’ That position ultimately led to the loss of four lives.”

One chargehand had previously described the mill as a ‘ticking time bomb,’ the court was told. Mr Badenoch said: “There was a threat against employees, get the machinery running or you will be out of work.” The case continues.