My email to the Caravan Club
I am
having a serious problem trying to comprehend the clubs reaction to a fatal
accident to a child on the Rowntree Park site York. The accident happened on
Thursday evening and the little boy died on Friday morning, we arrived on site
on Saturday afternoon with two four year olds ,the same age as the little boy.
Staff were not offering any extra safety warnings there were no extra slowdown
signs, no warning about children using bikes, nothing and especially no mention
of the accident.
We did not know until the family lade flowers next to our pitch, I asked in
reception if a child had been killed on site. the answer was no, he died in
hospital.
My wife asked again as we were leaving today Wednesday, she was informed that a
child had died but for legal reasons that is all they could say.
Legal reasons or not, people are still speeding on this site, children are still
riding bikes where they shouldn't, if they knew about the accident they may take
more care with their actions, especially us, as we were next to the spot where
it happened.
I have worked in the chemical industry for many years and the first thing that
happens after an accident is, that measures are put in place to make sure that
it never happens again, legality and blame are always secondary to this.
Their reply
Dear Mr Gant,
Thank you for your email dated 5th September. I appreciate your views regarding the dreadful accident that occurred at Rowntree Park. Whilst we have noted your concerns the matter is currently in the hands of the Police, the HSE and Coroner. The Club prides itself on the safety and quality of its sites and initial verbal comments of the HSE imply that there is nothing to suggest that this tragedy is anything other than a ‘freak accident’. The true test of our policies and procedures will be when we get the full report, it is important therefore that we wait for this and ensure we respond accordingly i.e. based on their findings.
I am sorry I am unable to give you a more detailed response but until the investigation (both internal and external) has been concluded it would be wrong of us to comment or take any further action.
Kind regards
Richard Burton
Head of Site Operations