YMCA Fairthorne Group found guilty following Winchester City Council prosecution
Fairthorne Manor is a YMCA outdoor adventure centre at Curdridge in the southern part of the Winchester district.
In July 2012 an 11-year-old girl was rendered unconscious when her neck became entangled in the safety equipment after falling from the Burma rope bridge.
She was left suspended by the safety equipment until an emergency rescue was initiated which involved her being cut free and dropped into the water below. She was then flown by air ambulance to hospital where she was put into an induced coma. Thankfully, she made a full recovery.
The incident was investigated by Winchester City Council Environmental Health Officers. A prosecution was brought against the YMCA Fairthorne Group under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for failing to ensure the safety of those in its care and also under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 for failing to ensure their employees had received adequate health and safety training.
The case was heard at Portsmouth Crown Court in September and October 2017, when the jury delivered a verdict of guilty against YMCA Fairthorne Group for failing to deliver on its general duty to protect the health and safety to persons other than their employees, but was unable to reach a verdict on whether they had or had not provided adequate training for employees.
The matter will return to court on 3rd November, 2017 for sentencing.
Cllr Caroline Horrill, Leader of Winchester City Council said:
“The City Council brings prosecutions when it believes safety failures are of a serious nature and need to be fully considered by the courts. Whilst many young people enjoy the life enriching experience of taking part in a variety of outdoor activities such as those at Fairthorne Manor, the public needs to be confident that a proper health and safety regime is in place.
The verdict sends a clear message that the provision of adequate safety measures needs to be a high priority and that the City Council will take appropriate action to ensure employee and public safety.”