The Jersey-registered company that owns Pontins holiday parks has been charged with corporate manslaughter following the death of a woman injured when an air conditioning duct fell on resort guests in the UK.
Wendy Jones had been staying at a Pontins site in Somerset when the ducting and part of the ceiling in the entertainment centre collapsed on to the families below.
Eighteen people, including 68-year-old Mrs Jones, were injured.
The incident involved the collapse of approximately 40m of structural ducting and ceiling sections, exposing live damaged electrics.
Mrs Jones spent the last six months of her life in hospital before she died in August 2019.
While Pontins used to operate a resort in Jersey, it has not done so for many decades – but the company behind it remains headquartered in the island.
The owners of Pontins – a Britannia Hotels subsidiary named Jinky Jersey registered in New Street, St Helier – will now face a corporate manslaughter charge following a joint investigation by Avon and Somerset Police and Somerset Council.
Jinky Jersey is due to appear before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 6 May.
Contractor Stephen Bennison, a 58-year-old man from Lancashire, has also been charged with failing to meet health and safety duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Roger Doxsey said his thoughts were with the family of Mrs Jones.
He added: “This has been a complex investigation and we’re grateful for the support of Somerset Council and other partners to reach this stage.
“We would like to remind the public that every defendant in the UK is permitted to a fair trial.
“No commentary, materials, or details should be published that could prejudice this court process while proceedings are ongoing.”
