The parents of a 12-year-old boy who died in an indoor ski slope tragedy have expressed devastation after being denied an inquest into his death. Natalie and Chris Watkiss spoke outside South Staffordshire Coroner's Court in Stafford on Friday following coroner Fiona Gingell's decision that no formal inquest was necessary.
Louis Watkiss died on September 24, 2021, when SnowDome manager Joseph Dibb walked onto the slope during a tobogganing session. Mr Dibb, who was not wearing a high-visibility jacket, turned away from oncoming tobogganists and collided with Louis, causing a catastrophic head injury that a pathologist described as 'not survivable.'
The Health and Safety Executive conducted a criminal investigation that concluded earlier this year. The SnowDome admitted responsibility for Louis' death and was fined £100,000, with an additional £16,000 in costs, a penalty the family branded 'ridiculous' and a 'slap on the wrists.'
Coroner Fiona Gingell stated that no part of the statutory investigation needed to be carried out, explaining that the purpose of an inquest is narrow—to establish who died, when, where, and how. After the hearing, Natalie and Chris said the judicial process had left them 'destroyed,' with Natalie telling BirminghamLive that they have not had a chance to grieve and feel exhausted by the system.
Louis' father Chris added that every moment is 'pure pain' and that they are now terrified of what will follow, now that there is 'nothing left to fight for.' The family intends to focus on remembering Louis and supporting their other son, who has lost his parents' attention for the past four years.
