Introduction to the Incident
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 leaky boat capsized during a day trip. The incident occurred in June 2022, at Roadford Lake, near Launceston, Cornwall, where the group had hired a "roller boat" designed for wheelchair users.
Safety Failures
Exeter Magistrates Court heard that the care home, Burdon Grange Care Home, near Beaworthy in Devon, failed to carry out basic safety checks before the trip. The boat took on water and overturned, trapping the victims in their heavy electric wheelchairs. Former rugby player Alex Wood, 43, and Alison Tilsley, 63, died, and their bodies were recovered two days later. Kate Dart survived with serious injuries.
Investigation Findings
Marine investigators determined that the boat had not been properly maintained, allowing water to penetrate and destabilize it. The court heard that Ms. Dart was found face down in the water. District Judge described the case as “devastating, harrowing and absolutely tragic”. He highlighted the home’s "complacency about risk" and "false sense of security" by relying on boat rental companies to carry out safety checks.
Consequences of the Incident
The victims were strapped into wheelchairs with no means of escape. The judge found that no lifejacket could have supported Mr. Wood’s weight in the chair, from which he could not be freed. An employee who couldn’t swim was trapped under the boat for 15 minutes. The incident has had a profound impact on the families of the victims, with Mr. Wood’s wife and father speaking out about their loss.
Aftermath and Penalties
Burdon Grange Care Home Ltd admitted three counts of failing to provide safe care under health and social care legislation. The home was fined £180,000, ordered to pay costs of £20,000, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £190. The Care Quality Commission deputy director said that the failure to identify and address clear risks was unacceptable and put vulnerable people at serious risk of harm.
Response from the Care Home
Burdon Grange said in a statement that they recognize the pain and distress the boat tragedy has caused and that their priority now is to move forward and consistently provide high-quality care and support to their residents and their families. The care home acknowledged the losses suffered by the families and friends of the victims and expressed their commitment to learning from the incident and improving their services.
