A tyre-fitter who was killed on the M56 had not been sufficiently instructed by his employer before a truck slipped from a jack and landed on him, a court has heard.
Niall Fawcett, 21, from North Staffordshire, was on the roadside of the Cheshire section of the motorway in August 2024 when he attempted to change the tyre of a truck following a blow-out. The jack slipped and the truck landed on him, causing fatal head injuries.
His employer, Halford Commercial Fleet Services Limited, has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The business was formerly known as Lodge Tyre Company Limited.
Family tribute
Niall's mum Sharon said: "Niall was only 21 years old when he died. He had his whole life ahead of him. He was planning to marry the following year and he and Megan were saving for a deposit on their first home together and talking about starting a family."
"Niall was building for a life he was excited for and this was taken from him in an instant. Niall went to work that day and should have been safe, supported, and protected. Instead, my son never came home."
Investigation findings
Warrington Magistrates’ Court heard Niall had been let down by his employer. A HSE spokesman said: "Mr Fawcett was called out to replace a blown-out tyre on a low-profile truck on the slip road at junction seven of the M56."
"While he was positioned beneath the truck, it is understood to have slipped from the bottle jack being used to raise the vehicle and landed on him, causing fatal head injuries."
A HSE investigation found that Halford Commercial Fleet Services Limited had not properly assessed the risks associated with replacing a blown-out tyre on a low-profile vehicle. The company had also failed to give employees suitable work instructions, including information on when a truck should be recovered rather than repaired at the roadside.
The investigation also found that Mr Fawcett had only obtained his licence to work on commercial tyres at the roadside when he joined the company less than four months before his death. Despite this, he had not been subject to any monitoring or supervision to ensure that he was working safely.
Court outcome
Halford Commercial Fleet Services Limited pleaded guilty to a health and safety breach. It has been fined £600,000 and ordered to pay £24,203 costs.
HSE principal inspector Laura Royales said: “This case should serve to highlight to employers the importance of properly assessing the risks to which their workers are exposed and providing the right information and instructions, supplemented by adequate monitoring and supervision arrangements, to ensure that they can and do work safely. Our thoughts remain with Niall’s family as they continue to come to terms with their tragic loss.”
