Teacher charged over stream death

Patricia Palmer and Max were swept downstream

A teacher has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of a 10-year-old boy, who drowned on a school trip to the Lake District.

Paul Douglas Ellis, 42, has been bailed to appear before Eden magistrates in Penrith on 30 October, 2002.

In May Lancashire schoolboy Max Palmer was swept downstream in a river close to Glenridding.

The youngster was with a party of pupils from Fleetwood High School, Lancashire, where his mother Tricia, who was also on the trip, worked as an educational support assistant.

'Joint investigation'

Mr Ellis, a teacher at Fleetwood High School and from the Blackpool area, is also charged with an offence contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act.

A Cumbria Police spokesman said: "A joint investigation between Cumbria Constabulary and the Health and Safety Executive has been conducted.

"A 42-year-old man has been charged with an offence of manslaughter and an offence contrary to Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

"Paul Douglas Ellis, of Blackpool, has been bailed to appear before Eden magistrates in Penrith on Wednesday 30 October."

Max Palmer got into difficulty after jumping into a pool in a mountain stream in the Lake District.

His mother Patricia, an education support worker, tried to save him and was swept downstream with him by the strong current.

Both were pulled out of the water unconscious by a mountain rescue team, but Max later died.