'Only luck' prevented fatalities in water pipe blast

Three people were lucky to survive a water main blast in Leicestershire, an investigation has found.

A walker and two contractors were injured when a road in Cropston "erupted" in September 2022.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ordered two companies to improve their safety procedures after "breaches of law" were identified.

An unpublished HSE review released to the BBC after a Freedom of Information request highlighted issues including inadequate risk assessments.

Katie Lallo needed hospital treatment for a broken leg and suffered concussion following the incident.

Ms Lallo's father, Tony Marshall, said she was hit by a slab of concrete and had the sense to cover her head.

Notices of Contravention were issued to two contractors, CPC Civils and Pipe Testing Services, last year.

Two workers suffered minor injuries.

The HSE has now released the contravention notices to the BBC after an appeal under the Freedom of Information Act.

The documents reveal work was being carried out to recommission a 1,600m (1 mile) long redundant water pipe between Cropston Reservoir and the Leicester Water Centre on Anstey Lane.

The blast happened during pressure testing, in which the main was filled with water to detect leaks.

That compressed air couldn't escape and the pipe eventually ruptured because of the pressure.

Investigators found both contractors breached health and safety laws because of inadequate risk assessments and a lack of "basic safety measures".

An air valve should have been fitted to the highest point in the pipe to release compressed air, the investigation found.

The review also found using a physical restraint to stop the pipe moving may have prevented an explosion.

Investigators said the scale of the blast made "a fatality a credible outcome, and only luck prevented this".

The HSE says both companies have written to outline action they have already taken to "prevent a reoccurrence".

Pipe Testing Services and CPC Civils have now been ordered to check their action covers all the points covered by the notices of contravention.

The HSE confirmed that neither company would be prosecuted.

CPC Civils and Pipe Testing Services have been contacted for comment.