A joint investigation between Thames Valley Police and the Health and Safety Executive is ongoing into the deaths of Michael Collings, Ken Cresswell, Christopher Huxtable and John Shaw,who were all employed by Coleman & Company.
The quartet were killed under falling rubble when the power station’s boiler house collapsed on February 23 2016.
In a statement Thames Valley police said: “Today marks the eighth anniversary of the partial collapse at Didcot Power Station in 2016, which claimed the lives of four men.
“An investigation into the collapse is ongoing, with Thames Valley Police leading a joint inquiry with the Health and Safety Executive.
“The dedicated investigation team, which was put in place immediately after the collapse at Didcot, continues to investigate offences of corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter and health and safety offences.”
Ben Snuggs, Deputy Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, said: “As always our thoughts remain with the families of Michael Collings, Ken Cresswell, Christopher Huxtable, and John Shaw following the loss of their loved ones.
“Thames Valley Police, together with the Health and Safety Executive, remains totally committed to rigorously investigating the collapse, and I am very conscious of the time it is taking to investigate those circumstances.
“We maintain regular contact with the families, and continue to provide updates and support through our dedicated family liaison officers and investigation team.
“This investigation is significant and complex with vast amounts of witness, digital and physical evidence, and we continue to make good progress with further suspect and key witness interviews.
“We are also in close liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service, and continue to provide appropriate updates to key stakeholders and interested parties.
“It is our responsibility and duty to investigate thoroughly, following all reasonable lines of enquiry and we will do everything we can to provide answers to the families.”
Duncan Rudall, CEO of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors said: “Eight years have passed and there has been little resolution for the families of Michael Collings, Ken Cresswell, Christopher Huxtable, and John Shaw, who sadly lost their lives because of the Didcot Power Station collapse.
“All of us expected that the subsequent investigation would provide much needed answers. Unfortunately, closure has yet to be forthcoming, but in any incident of this nature, we must remain patient and trust the process, to ensure investigations are carried out properly and thoroughly. Only then can we ensure the outcome is the correct one and a similar tragedy is avoided in the future.”
