Pontins owner charged with corporate manslaughter after grandmother death

The owner of Pontins Holiday Parks was accused of corporate homicide after an air conditioning duct fell on the guests in a resort.

Eighteen people were injured in Pontins Brean Sands, Somerset. When a section of the roof and ducts within its entertainment center, called Fun Factory, collapsed in February 2019.

Among them was grandmother Wendy Jones, 68. He spent the last six months of his life in the hospital before he died on August 4, 2019.

The parent company of Pontins, Britannia Jinky Jersey, will appear in the Court next month.

Pontins is part of the Britannia Hotels group. BBC has contacted Britannia to comment.

In addition, the contractor Stephen Bennison, 58, of Faringdon in Lancashire, has been accused of a crime under Section 3 of the Health and Safety Law of 1974.

A special BBC news report on the incident last year highlighted a former employee about the graft at the top of the ceiling and ducts in 2015.

Devon and Somerset Fire and rescue said in 2019 that it involved the collapse of approximately 40 m (131 feet) of sections of structural ducts and roof, exposing damaged electric electric.

About 100 people were in the entertainment hall about to play Bingo when the collapse occurred.

The charges follow a joint investigation of Avon and Somerset Police and Somerset Council.

CH SPPT Roger Doxsey, main research officer, said: “First, our thoughts are with Wendy Jones’ family.

“This has been a complex investigation and we are grateful for the support of the Somerset Council and other partners to reach this stage.”

The defendant must appear before the Bristol Magistrates court on May 6.