Prosecutors to decide over court action after mill blast
Four died and many injured in huge explosion back in 2015
PROSECUTORS are to decide whether criminal charges are to be brought after four workers died in a huge explosion at a mill.
Police today confirmed they have passed a file of evidence over to the Crown Prosecution Service three-anda-half years after the blast caused the four-storey Bosley Mill – at Bosley, near Congleton – to collapse.
William Barks, aged 51, of Dalehouse Road, Cheddleton; Dorothy Bailey, aged 62, from Bosley; Jason Shingler, aged 38, of Sycamore Avenue, Congleton; and Derek Moore, aged 62, of Colclough Lane, Goldenhill, were all killed.
Around 35 other people were assessed by paramedics with four taken to specialist units. Many more were left suffering with the psychological trauma of their ordeal.
Police have carried out a ‘complex investigation’ into the incident with the CPS now looking into whether charges should be pressed over the fatalities and injuries.
A Cheshire Police spokesman said: “Since the tragic events on July 17, 2015 at Wood Treatment Ltd in Bosley – which injured many and claimed the lives of four people – Cheshire Constabulary, alongside Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Health and Safety Executive has been carrying out an extensive and complex investigation into the explosion that occurred.
“We can now confirm that a file of evidence has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service for their consideration.
“The thoughts of everyone at Cheshire Constabulary very much remain with all those affected by the events of that day, and officers continue to provide specialist support to the families involved.”
The explosion ripped through the Wood Treatment Ltd plant at around 9.10am on Friday July 17, 2015.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds were raised for the Bosley Disaster Fund in the aftermath of the tragedy to support the families of those killed or injured.
Asked about progress on the investigation into the four fatalities last year, an HSE spokesman said: “We continue to support the policeled investigation as we have done over the past three years, with inspectors and specialists from a broad range of disciplines and divisions working very closely with officers from Cheshire Police.”
A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “What happened at Bosley three years ago remains one of the most difficult, testing and emotionally devastating incidents we have ever dealt with.
“Our thoughts are very much with the family, friends and community in Bosley.”