An independent review of the emergency response to the Haut du Mont explosion is set to take place after bereaved family members raised “serious concerns”, it has emerged.
The explosion at Haut du Mont claimed the lives of 10 islanders in December 2022, with subsequent criminal investigations being conducted by the States of Jersey Police and the Health and Safety Inspectorate.
In a report published this week, the States of Jersey Complaints Panel revealed that they had reviewed a formal complaint lodged against the Chief Minister relating to the incident.
Pictured: The islanders who lost their lives in the Haut du Mont tragedy.
The complaint, submitted by bereaved family members, highlighted “serious concerns” about both the emergency response on the night of the explosion and the subsequent clinical care received at Jersey General Hospital.
The family first raised concerns by emailing the Health Department on 19 May 2023, with a “detailed response” sent from the Medical Director on 12 July 2023.
Concerns remained unresolved, and the family formally submitted a complaint to the States Complaints Board on 23 November 2023.
While the panel concluded that the matter was initially outside its jurisdiction, States Complaints Panel Chair Geoffery Crill wrote to the Chief Minister to request the establishment of an independent inquiry following the conclusion of existing investigations.
This was acknowledged by the former Chief Minister on 21 December 2023 following consultation with other Ministers and officers.
But, following the appointment of a new Chief Minister in January 2024, the family was left without updates.
A follow-up from the States Greffier’s Office on 3 April 2024 prompted renewed contact.
Pictured: A complaint was originally made against the then-Chief Minister Kristina Moore. When Deputy Lyndon Farnham took over in January 2024, the family did not receive an update for four months.
On 5 April 2024, the family was provided with a point of contact, and was advised that they would be given support to shape the terms of reference for an independent, external investigation.
An apology was also issued for the prolonged delay in appointing an expert to lead the inquiry.
The two-year investigation into the Haut du Mont incident cost more than £11 million and was described as “the largest and most complex in the States of Jersey Police’s 70-year history”.
The 10 islanders killed in the blast were Peter Bowler (72), Raymond Brown (71), Louise De Almeida (64), Romeu De Almeida (67), Derek Ellis (61), Sylvia Ellis (73), Jane Ralph (71), Ken Ralph (72), Billy Marsden (62) and Kathy McGinness (73).
Three former Island Energy employees appeared in court earlier this year to be charged with causing their due to negligence in connection with the explosion at Pier Road.
The company that employed them, Island Energy, also faced separate charges for allegedly breaching health and safety laws.
Both cases were deemed too serious for the island’s Magistrate’s Court and were referred to appear at Jersey’s Royal Court on Wednesday 28 May instead.