Argyll and Bute Council fined GBP 20k over man's death

19/08/2010

Argyll and Bute Council has been fined GBP 20,000 after a man died when he drove over the edge of a car park into the sea.

Duncan MacGillivray, 75, tried to reverse out of his parking bay at Coal Pier in Dunoon but put his vehicle into forward gear by mistake.

There was no protective barrier, at the edge of the car park so the car fell approximately three metres into the sea below.

Argyll and Bute Council of Kilmory, Lochgilphead, Argyll, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Health and Safety Executive inspector Mike Orr said: "Mr MacGillivray died in tragic and traumatic circumstances, ultimately drowning in the sea below the pier."

He went on to say that a simple risk assessment could have saved the man's life.

Earlier this week, the Star reported that 81-year-old had mad a compensation claim against Barnsley Council after he injured himself by slipping on wet grass cuttings left on a public footpath.

Posted by Wayne Weir

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