Oakwood theme park admits health and safety breach over death

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2264349/Oa...over-death.html

A company running a theme park where a teenager plunged 100ft to her death from a white knuckle ride admitted a fatal health and safety breach today.

Sunday school teacher Hayley Williams, 16, was ejected from the top of the Hydro ride as it began an almost vertical descent into a plunge pool.

As she fell the teenager struck a 10-year-old Swansea schoolboy who was also on the ride, and he suffered a minor head injury.

It happened at the popular Oakwood Theme Park, near Narberth, west Wales, in April 2004 as horrified visitors looked on.

The schoolgirl, from Pontypool, South Wales, had been visiting the attraction with family and friends.

A four day jury inquest into her death at Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court two years ago recorded a neutral narrative verdict.

Parents Alan and Beverley Williams spoke of their bitter disappointment at the time that the coroner had specifically ruled out unlawful killing as a verdict.

In February the Health and Safety Executive served a summons on Oakwood Leisure Limited at the conclusion of its investigation into the fatal accident.

The company was charged with the single offence of failing to ensure persons not in its employ were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

Back in May at Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court lawyers for the company pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In a brief hearing at the same court today the company's legal representatives said it now admitted the single charge.

The case was adjourned for sentencing to Swansea Crown Court on August 8.