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Theme park's guilt in ride death | Theme park's guilt in ride death |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A theme park has admitted breaching health and safety laws over the death of a teenage visitor more than four years ago. | A theme park has admitted breaching health and safety laws over the death of a teenage visitor more than four years ago. |
Hayley Williams, 16, from Pontypool, Torfaen, died when she fell 100ft from the £1.7m Hydro Ride at Oakwood in Pembrokeshire in April 2004. | |
Oakwood Leisure admitted a breach of the Health and Safety Act 1974 before magistrates at Haverfordwest. | Oakwood Leisure admitted a breach of the Health and Safety Act 1974 before magistrates at Haverfordwest. |
The court adjourned the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing on 8 August. | The court adjourned the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing on 8 August. |
The prosecution is being brought by the Health and Safety Executive. | The prosecution is being brought by the Health and Safety Executive. |
Oakwood was charged with failing to ensure the safety of the water ride's passengers after the death in April 2004. | Oakwood was charged with failing to ensure the safety of the water ride's passengers after the death in April 2004. |
Lagoon | Lagoon |
In May, at Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court, lawyers for the company pleaded not guilty to the charge. | |
In a brief hearing at the same court on Monday the company's legal representatives said it now admitted the single charge. | In a brief hearing at the same court on Monday the company's legal representatives said it now admitted the single charge. |
Sunday school teacher Ms Williams was taken for a treat to the theme park by her parents and had been staying at a nearby caravan park. | Sunday school teacher Ms Williams was taken for a treat to the theme park by her parents and had been staying at a nearby caravan park. |
The court heard how she and her friends had been on a variety of rides but had left the Hydro ride until the end because they knew they would get wet. | |
Ms Williams died following a fall from the Hydro Ride | Ms Williams died following a fall from the Hydro Ride |
But Ms Williams was thrown from the boat as it began its 50mph almost vertical descent into the lagoon below. | |
She was flown by helicopter to hospital but never regained consciousness. | She was flown by helicopter to hospital but never regained consciousness. |
A four-day jury inquest into her death at Haverfordwest two years ago recorded a neutral narrative verdict. | A four-day jury inquest into her death at Haverfordwest two years ago recorded a neutral narrative verdict. |
Ms Williams' parents spoke of their bitter disappointment at the time that the coroner had specifically ruled out unlawful killing as a verdict. | Ms Williams' parents spoke of their bitter disappointment at the time that the coroner had specifically ruled out unlawful killing as a verdict. |
The Hydro ride was shut down for 11 months after the tragedy. | The Hydro ride was shut down for 11 months after the tragedy. |
But it was reopened after new shoulder straps were built into the ride after recommendations from the Health and Safety Executive. | But it was reopened after new shoulder straps were built into the ride after recommendations from the Health and Safety Executive. |