Weston's Cider fined £1.4m after worker killed by security barrier on 65th birthday

Thomas Manns, known as Tommy, was driving a van for H West and Stons Limited when he was killed by the end of a security barrier. Credit: HSE

A cider producer has been fined £1.4million, after the death of an employee who was killed on his 65th birthday.

Thomas Manns, known as Tommy, was driving a van for H West and Stons Limited, the manufacturer of Henry Westons Cider, when he was killed by the end of a security barrier.

It happened at the Much Marcle Factory, near Ledbury, on 28 September 2020 - Tommy's 65th birthday.

Mr Manns, from Dymock in Gloucestershire, was driving a van out of the firm's site at Bounds Farm, when the end of a security barrier speared through the van's windshield and fatally crushed him.

A HSE investigation into the incident found H Weston and Sons had installed the barrier a month earlier, and failed to undertake a suitable and sufficient risk assessment.

The company also failed to implement a safe system of work to ensure the barrier could be secured safely when open and closed.

H Weston and Sons had installed the barrier a month earlier and failed to undertake a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. Credit: HSE

H Weston and Sons Limited was fined £1.4 million after the company was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Tommy, who had two children as well as three grandchildren, was a farm manager at H Weston and Sons Limited and had started working at the company in 2008.

Tommy’s wife Rose Manns said: “I am still in shock following the death of my husband. I’ve never been an emotional person, but since the accident I am nervous and reliving the accident all the time. In the beginning I couldn’t even drive because my husband was driving at the time of his accident and I couldn’t face driving again for a long time.

“I’ve always been a people’s person and now I have no confidence. People stop and ask me how I feel and how I am. I don’t feel confident to talk to people about what happened and people don’t know what to say to me.

Tommy's wife said the couple had just put down a deposit on a motorhome before his sudden death. Credit: HSE

“Tommy loved his grandchildren so much. He spoke to the two grandkids who were four and six on the day of his death. They rang to sing happy birthday to him in the morning. He never got the chance to open his birthday cards.

“We had put a deposit down on a motorhome. My son had to ring the company a couple of days after Tommy died to cancel the order.

“Tommy has left a great legacy. He was so loved, he was my rock, my soulmate.”

Oliver Hunter, Tommy’s stepson, added: “As a parent there are many memorable moments you want to keep hold of, however trying to explain to my four-year-old son (now seven) and six-year-old daughter (now nine) that their Grampy Tom had died on his birthday and that he is no longer with us, is one I wish I could forget.

“Both of our children were outgoing, happy little people with a love of life, but since Tommy’s death their behaviours have changed, they are more weary of life, can be more angry and upset over various things. They live with a constant fear that their loved ones maybe taken away from them which consequently means they are both struggling daily with separation anxiety on different levels.”

paraded Tommy paraded Ronaldo the bull around the Wembley Stadium pitch when Hereford FC reached the FA Vase final in 2016. Credit: HSE

H Weston and Sons Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety  at Work Regulations 1999 and Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

The company was fined £1.4 million and ordered to pay £26,756.50 in costs at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on 30 November 2023.

A spokesperson for Westons Cider said: “We understand the court’s ruling and have worked closely with the Health & Safey Executive (HSE) following this tragic accident  to ensure that nothing like this can happen again.

"Tommy was a much valued colleague and our thoughts remain with his family.”

HSE inspector Sara Lumley: “This is a sad and devastating case that is made all the more tragic as the incident took place on Tommy’s birthday. It was also his day off. Rosemary and Oliver have made clear the impact that Tommy’s passing has had and our thoughts remain with them and their family.

"Horizontal barriers can be dangerous - but deaths are extremely preventable.

"The guidance for those operating barriers like this at car parks is clear and it’s vital to make sure the barriers are adequately secured at all times whether open or shut."

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