Travis Perkins fined £2 million after load fell and killed driver
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A court has fined builders’ merchant Travis Perkins £2 million after part of a timber load fell from one of its lorries, striking the windscreen of an oncoming car and killing the driver. The company admitted to three safety offences, and the sentence was handed down at Hove Crown Court on Thursday.
The incident occurred on May 13, 2020, when Jack Stevens, a 28-year-old father of three, was driving his BMW on the A26. A strip of timber came loose from a Travis Perkins vehicle after it left the company’s Newhaven depot. The timber struck Stevens’ windscreen, resulting in his death.
The court heard that the timber load had been secured with only a single strap, which was insufficient to hold it in place. The lashing used did not adequately secure the load, creating a fatal hazard.
Lewes District Council conducted an investigation in collaboration with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to bring the case to prosecution. The investigation revealed that proper safety measures were not followed, leading to the preventable tragedy.
Councillor Christine Robinson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing at Lewes District Council, commented on the case: “While we welcome the substantial fine imposed today, it remains an absolute tragedy that Mr. Stevens, a much-loved father of three, died in this entirely preventable case. Our thoughts remain with his family and friends.
“I hope our prosecution sends a strong message to businesses that it is of the utmost importance they adhere to health and safety legislation to ensure that something like this never happens again.”
In addition to the £2 million fine, Travis Perkins was ordered to pay £85,000 in costs.
