Boy, 16, among victims of Avonmouth explosion
A 16-year-old boy was among four people killed in an explosion at a wastewater treatment plant in Bristol.
Police named the teenager as Luke Wheaton and said the others were Michael James, 64, Brian Vickery, 63, and Raymond White, 57.
Tributes were paid to those who lost their lives at the Wessex Water plant in Avonmouth on Thursday. Churches were opened, flags flown at half mast and local political leaders held a minute’s silence.
It is understood that James was a contractor working at the facility at Kings Weston Lane. Wessex Water employed White and Vickery, who was from Clevedon, north Somerset, and had worked at the site for 42 years. Luke was an apprentice with the company. A fifth person was injured in the blast but is back at home.
Detectives from the Avon and Somerset force were continuing to investigate with the support of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and a team of chemical and mechanical experts.
The investigation is in its very early stages but sources with knowledge of the site said indications seemed to suggest a buildup of methane gas may have been behind the explosion.
Police have said the explosion was centred on a silo that held treated biosolids – solid matter recovered in sewage treatment processes and turned into organic soil conditioner. It is believed the five people were all working on top of or near the silo.
The dangers associated with silos containing biosolids are well known in the industry. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has previously warned that methane can be a risk, as can “sewage dust”.
Concern about buildups of pressure in storage silos at water treatment plants has also been flagged up as a concern, but there has been no incident comparable to the Avonmouth explosion in the UK.
Luke’s former school, Bradley Stoke community school, said in a statement: “We were shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic passing of our former student Luke Wheaton yesterday in the Avonmouth tragedy. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”
He was a talented sportsman who represented his school at football and played for North Bristol Rugby Football Club. The rugby club said on Twitter: “Such terribly sad news that one of our Colts, Luke Wheaton was tragically lost in the accident in Avonmouth. It’s absolutely heartbreaking. All of our love & thoughts to Luke’s family, team mates, coaches and everyone else that knew him.”
Supt Simon Brickwood, of Avon and Somerset police, said: “I’d like to extend my heartfelt sympathies to the families of those involved in yesterday’s tragic incident.
“An investigation has been launched into the causes of the explosion, with the support of partner agencies and the Health and Safety Executive. This is likely to be ongoing for some time and we will be keeping the victims’ families informed throughout.
“We appreciate the impact this incident has had on the local community and we thank those affected for their patience while our investigative work is carried out.”
Giles Hyder, HSE’s head of operations in the south-west, said: “It is important a joint investigation is carried out. We will provide specialist support to what is likely to be a complex investigation under the command of the police.”
Wessex Water chief executive, Colin Skellett, said: “I know Avonmouth, I worked there for many years, and I know the people, some of whom have lost their lives during this terrible incident.”
A crowdfunding campaign is to be launched to support the families of those who were killed.
John Phillips, regional secretary of the trade union GMB, said: “This is another stark reminder of the absolute need to ensure that people are able to work in environments where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled.
“Whilst the cause of this tragedy is not yet known, it is essential that a full and thorough investigation takes place.”
Darren Jones, the MP for Bristol North West, said he would be calling on the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency and others “to ensure that lessons are being learnt so that these situations that shouldn’t happen in the first place don’t happen again”.
Churches in Avonmouth and nearby Lawrence Weston were opened for those who wished to say prayers, while flags flew at half-mast at the Bristol Port Company and members of the West of England Combined Authority held a minute’s silence before a meeting on Friday.
