Didcot disaster investigation enters its ninth year

Grant Prior 8 months ago
Share

The investigation into the Didcot Power Station demolition disaster, which killed four men, has still not found any answers for the bereaved families on the eighth anniversary of the tragedy.

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.”

 

Latest news

Data centres and airport expansion to spur growth

Government hails £25bn data centre and £1.1bn Stansted Airport expansion plan
14 hours ago

Kier confirmed for £20m Yasa Motors Bicester HQ

Developer Bicester Motion advances future mobility business park
13 hours ago

BAM reassures supply chain after winding-up petition

Firm's credit rating temporarily affected after dispute with supplier
22 hours ago

Winvic secures Leeds build to rent scheme

Phase one of £500m Sweet Street South Bank regeneration starts
21 hours ago

£60m turnover construction group sold to staff

Meldrum Construction Services Group becomes Employee Owned Trust
22 hours ago

Starmer vows to “rip out” obstacles to investment

Prime Minister to make pledge at inaugural International Investment Summit
22 hours ago

VolkerFitzpatrick starts prep-work for £210m M3 junction upgrade

Main works to begin in early 2025 on Winchester junction job
23 hours ago

London super sewer turned on after eight years of construction

£4.5bn project starts protecting River Thames from pollution
22 hours ago

Housing and office new work jump fuels output recovery

August new construction work rebounds 1.6% after early summer fall
4 days ago

£300m London City fringe office tower approved

Rocket's 27-storey One Fairchild Street job set for take-off
4 days ago

Consultants named for London Tube Bakerloo Line extension

Aecom and architect WW+P to work up designs for four new stations
4 days ago

15 giant bridge beams lifted into place at HS2 station

Balfour Beatty VINCI carries-out civils work for Solihull station: Video
5 days ago

Ballymore JV picked for £500m King’s Cross scheme

Camley Street scheme to consist of 350 homes and offices
5 days ago

Digger stolen from Dorset site recovered in Poland

Machine found after four month police hunt
4 days ago

Construction firms face claw back of R&D tax credits

HMRC estimates only 38% of construction claims are "wholly compliant"
5 days ago

Willmott Dixon bounces back into profit in first half

CEO predicts ISG demise will shift client mindsets from lowest bid to best quality
5 days ago

M&E specialist Integral UK suffers fifth year of losses

Building services and FM specialist plunges to £32m loss
5 days ago

Glenbrook plans 44-storey Manchester resi tower

Scheme next to Deansgate station will contain 360 flats
5 days ago

Downing submits 430-bed London student scheme

Two-10 storey towers planned at Wandsworth Gasholder Site
5 days ago

Mace construction head steps down

Andrew Jackson leaves top role after three months
6 days ago

Pre-pack saves 60 jobs at fit-out firm WFC Contractors

Aviation fit-out group swoops on up-market hospitality fit-out specialist
6 days ago

Multiplex in talks for ISG’s £70m London offices to labs job

Plan to restart Regent Quarter life science campus with ISG project team
6 days ago

M&E firm goes under after more than 70 years in business

HBS Group Southern employed 75 staff
7 days ago

Trio of big names win £600m biscuit factory revamp

Developer Greystar confirms deals for McLaren, McAleer & Rushe and Sisk
7 days ago

HS2 London tunnels chief joins Transpennine Route Upgrade

James Richardson will take up MD role at TRU in New Year
6 days ago

Transport minister signals HS2 will run to Euston

Decision expected in spending review and budget later this month
7 days ago

£9bn Lower Thames Crossing decision delayed 7 months

Fears grow mega project could be axed in upcoming Budget
7 days ago

Vistry issues profit warning over build out costs at southern division

Probe launched after £115m hit on 9 schemes where build costs under estimated by 10%
7 days ago

ISG administrator tells subbies no funds to pay debts

EY warns trade creditors they are unlikely to see any of the cash they are owed
7 days ago

Giga factory powers McAlpine to top of contracts league

Work winning for the top 50 firms rebounded in September after August lull
7 days ago

Contractor services