An experienced electrician was killed when he became trapped by the blades of a badly guarded fan at an underground mine in the Scottish Highlands. Colin Thwaites, 61, was inspecting storm damage at the Lochaline Quartz Sand Limited mine when an apprentice discovered him with fatal injuries.
Fatal Incident at Europe's Only Underground Quartz Mine
Mr Thwaites was struck by the blades of a fan circulating air through Europe's only underground quartz mine, which was not adequately guarded, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). He had arrived for his day shift on October 21, 2024, to help restore power after damage caused by Storm Ashley. While working alongside an apprentice to disconnect a communications cable near one of the mine's BORA fans, he was sucked into the blades.
The mine, located in the Morvern Peninsula, has been operational since 1940 and produces silica sand of exceptional quality, low in iron and very white, used for energy-efficient glass production.
Serious Safety Failings Identified
HSE inspectors found that significant areas of mesh were missing from the fan guard, and the wire showed heavy corrosion, indicating the damage was not fresh. An investigation revealed a series of serious failings in how the fan had been modified, commissioned, and maintained. The intake guard was in a seriously degraded condition. Had it been properly designed and maintained, the incident likely would have been prevented.
Kevin Wilson, HSE's chief inspector of mines and quarries, stated: 'This was a tragic and entirely preventable death. Colin Thwaites was a highly-experienced mining professional with decades of service. He should have gone home to his family that day. Our investigation found that when the fan was modified, the risks were not identified. The guarding that was put in place was inadequate from the outset and its deteriorating condition went unnoticed because there was no proper maintenance regime in place.'
Company Fined £150,000
Lochaline Quartz Sand Limited, based in Ormskirk, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws. The company was fined £150,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £11,250 at Inverness Sheriff Court on June 16, 2026.
