The devastated mother of a seven-year-old boy killed in a catastrophic gas explosion has described the horrific moment she realised her son was dead.
A Family's Life Shattered in an Instant
Archie York lost his life in October 2024 when an illegal cannabis 'shatter' factory exploded in a block of flats in Benwell, Newcastle. The blast, caused by a build-up of butane gas used in the production of drug-infused sweets, also claimed the life of 35-year-old Jason Laws.
Archie's parents, Katherine Errington, 28, and Robbie York, have now bravely supported a new Newcastle City Council document detailing their son's story. Their aim is to educate the public on the signs of these dangerous clandestine operations to prevent other families from suffering similar loss.
Katherine recounted the terror of the explosion. "I just woke up to this large screech in my ear," she said. "As soon as I opened my eyes all I could see was darkness, it was awful. I kept going in and out of consciousness."
The Desperate Search and Unbearable Loss
She and her baby son, Finley, were pulled from the rubble by Robbie and a neighbour, but Archie was missing. "Then we got the information that they'd found Archie's body... he was gone," Katherine said, her words echoing the family's permanent heartbreak.
In the document, she wrote of the chaos: "When I came around all I could do was scream Robbie’s name and try to move the bricks off my whole body. I could hear nothing, only chaos. I can still smell the burning, still feel the panic and desperation."
The parents were forced to identify their son through dental records, photographs, and the pyjamas he was wearing. Robbie added: "As a family, we have to live through all of the Christmases and birthdays without our precious boy. He will be forever seven."
Justice and a Campaign for Change
Reece Galbraith, who was running the drug production operation with Jason Laws, was jailed for 14 years in June for causing the explosion. Robbie expressed his fury, stating: "To me those responsible murdered my boy. I was devastated at the loss of Archie, but now I am full of anger. Reece and Jason took such risks, endangering other people’s lives to make money and ultimately costing me my son."
He emphasised the cruel disparity, noting the perpetrators' children were safe elsewhere while theirs were in mortal danger.
Councillor Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council, praised the couple's courage. “By telling Archie’s story, we hope to shine a light on the dangers of drug production and the devastating impact it can have on lives and communities," she said. "Awareness and vigilance truly can save lives."
Katherine is driven by her son's memory: "Archie was a seven-year-old boy but he always helped everybody out and that's what I live for. I want to help people like what Archie did... I don't want any family to go through what we have."
How to Spot an Illegal 'Shatter' Lab
The council initiative outlines key warning signs that a property may be used for dangerous cannabis extraction, known as producing 'shatter':
- Strong Chemical Smells: A distinct odour of solvents like butane or propane.
- Unusual Ventilation: Covered windows, fans running constantly, or makeshift ducting.
- Excessive Supplies: Large amounts of butane canisters or propane tanks being delivered.
- Electrical Modifications: Heavy use of extension cords, tampered wiring, or abnormally high power usage.
- Suspicious Activity: Frequent visitors at odd hours, day and night.
- Discarded Materials: Empty chemical containers, solvent cans, or cannabis waste near the property.
