Devon care home fined £200,000 after two disabled residents drowned

A care home has been ordered to pay more than £200,000 after two wheelchair users drowned and a third was seriously injured when a leaking boat capsized during a day trip.

Exeter Magistrates’ Court heard that Burdon Grange Care Home, near Beaworthy in Devon, failed to carry out basic safety checks before taking six residents to Roadford Lake, near Launceston, Cornwall, in June 2022.

The group hired a “wheelboat” designed for wheelchair users, but it took on water and overturned, trapping the victims in their heavy electric wheelchairs, the court heard.

Former rugby players Alex Wood, 43, and Alison Tilsley, 63, died and their bodies were found two days later. Kate Dart survived with serious injuries.

The court heard Ms Dart, aged in her 50s, was found face down in the water.

District Judge Stuart Smith described the case as “devastating, heartbreaking and absolutely tragic”.

He highlighted the home’s “complacency with risks” and “false sense of security” in relying on boat rental companies to carry out security checks.

The court heard the victims were tied to wheelchairs with no means of escape.

The judge heard no life jacket could have supported Mr Wood’s weight in the chair from which he could not free himself.

A staff member who did not know how to swim was stuck under the boat for 15 minutes.

Father-of-four Mr Wood moved to a care home after being injured in a rugby accident in France in 2011.

His wife Tamsin broke down in court, saying: “Alex’s death has broken me.

“I feel cheated. I wanted to improve Alex and bring him home.

“That was taken away. I loved Alex so much.”

Her father Peter said the family was “deeply troubled and hurt that her death could have been avoided”.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch later discovered that the boat had not been properly maintained, allowing water to seep in and destabilize it.

Burdon Grange Care Home Ltd admitted three charges of failing to provide safe care under health and social care laws.

He was fined £180,000, with costs of £20,000 and a victim surcharge of £190.

Catherine Campbell, deputy director of the Care Quality Commission in Devon, said after the case: “The failure of the provider, management and staff to identify and address the obvious dangers was unacceptable and placed highly vulnerable people at serious risk of harm. »

Burdon Grange said in a statement after the case: “We recognize the pain and distress that this nautical tragedy has caused to the families, relatives and friends of Alex and Ali whose losses are still deeply felt by our community.

“Our priority now is to move forward and consistently provide the high-quality care and support that our residents and their families rightly expect.”