BOLTON RESIDENT DIES IN LIFT SHAFT FALL

A property management company has been fined after a resident of Marsden House in Bolton died after falling down a lift shaft. 

Bolton Crown Court heard how 29 year old Craig Jones and a friend were trapped in a lift and unable to raise the alarm. They attempted a self-rescue by forcing the doors open and sliding out onto the floor below. 

Craig Jones slipped under the lift car and fell five stories down the lift shaft and died of multiple injuries. His friend escaped unhurt. 

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive(HSE) into the incident which occurred on 30 August 2014 found that Warwick Estates Property Management Limited (the management company for the building) failed to take suitable and sufficient steps to prevent Craig and his friend self-rescuing. 

Warwick Estates Property Management Limited, of Edinburgh Way, Harlow, Essex, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined £120,000 and ordered to pay costs of £45,000. 

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Sarah Taylor said: “Those who manage lifts have a responsibility to ensure they are properly maintained but if people are trapped they have a way to raise the alarm and are not in a position to try and rescue themselves. 

“The problems with this lift were well known and if Warwick Estates Property Management Ltd had fulfilled their health and safety responsibilities Craig Jones would probably be around to celebrate Christmas with his family this weekend.”