Inquest opens into 10 deaths following Pier Road Tragedy

Friday 30 December 2022

The inquests into the deaths of ten islanders who died following the recent major explosion on Pier Road have now been formally opened.

During a hearing lasting just over three-quarters of an hour this morning, details were given about the identities of nine people who lived in the block at 27-32 Haut du Mont and whose bodies were recovered during the six days following the explosion at 3.53am on Saturday 10 December.

The nine residents named were 72-year-old Peter Bowler, Raymie Brown (71), Romeu and Louise De Almeida (67 and 64 years), Derek and Sylvia Ellis (61 and 73 years), Ken and Jane Ralph (72 and 71 years) and 63-year-old Billy Marsden.

The hearing also opened the inquest into the death of Kathy McGinness (73), who lived in an adjacent block at 35 Haut de Mont and was injured as a result of the explosion, subsequently dying in Corbière Ward at the General Hospital on Christmas Day.

Deputy Viscount Mark Harris, the presiding coroner, said the purpose of the hearing was to allow the bodies of the deceased to be formally released to allow funerals to be arranged. At the conclusion he adjourned the inquests until a later date to allow further investigation to take place.

Detective Superintendent Alison Fossey confirmed that she was leading the investigation into the explosion.

Det Supt Fossey said the investigation was still 'in its infancy' – she described the process as 'long and complex' and liable to take several months.

She added: 'The working assumption is that gas was the cause of the explosion, but this won't be confirmed until after a thorough investigation has been completed.'

Chief Inspector Chris Beechey said he had worked as senior identification manager following the incident, with those involved at the scene having followed established, internationally-agreed disaster victim identification procedures.

Ch Insp Beechey said the procedure had been established following the Marchioness disaster in 1989, when 51 people lost their lives after two boats collided in the River Thames in London.

The guiding principles were, he said, to provide honest and accurate information, show respect to victims and their families, maintain a sympathetic and caring approach and avoid the risk of mistaken identification.