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Pontins owner charged with corporate manslaughter

Rebecca Wearn
Senior UK Producer
Family handout Wendy is wearing an animal-print top with a long gold necklace. She is sat in an armchair cuddling one baby and another child and is smiling up at the camera.Family handout
Wendy Jones, pictured with two of her grandchildren, died after a visit to Pontins Brean Sands

The owner of Pontins holiday parks has been charged with corporate manslaughter after an air conditioning duct fell on guests at a resort.

Eighteen people were injured at Pontins Brean Sands, Somerset, when a section of the ceiling and ducting inside its entertainment centre, called The Fun Factory, collapsed in February 2019.

Among them was grandmother Wendy Jones, 68. She spent the final six months of her life in hospital before she died on 4 August 2019.

Pontins' parent company, Britannia Jinky Jersey, will appear in court next month.

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

In addition, contractor Stephen Bennison, 58, from Farington in Lancashire, has been charged with an offence under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

A BBC News special report into the incident last year highlighted the concerns from a former employee about the installation of insulation on top of the ceiling and ducting in 2015.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue A long, square duct can be seen balancing on top of tables and on the floor, having fallen from the ceiling. Wires and cabling are hanging precariously around it. The background is a hall painted in blue and white with lots of seating.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue
About 100 people were in the entertainment hall about to play bingo when part of the ceiling and the ducting collapsed

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said in 2019 that the incident involved the collapse of approximately 40m (131ft) of structural ducting and ceiling sections, exposing live damaged electrics.

About 100 people were in the entertainment hall about to play bingo when the collapse happened.

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

Ch Supt Roger Doxsey, senior investigating officer, said: "First and foremost our thoughts are with the family of Wendy Jones.

"This has been a complex investigation and we're grateful for the support of Somerset Council and other partners to reach this stage."

The defendants are due to appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court on 6 May.

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