£1m penalty for gantry deaths

The bridge gantry dropped "like a falling curtain"

The employers of four motorway workers who fell to their deaths have been ordered to pay more than £1m.

Relatives say they are now pursuing a compensation claim against Yarm Road Limited and Costain Limited over safety failures at the Avonmouth Bridge, on the M4 near Bristol.

Paul Stewart, 24, of Newcastle upon Tyne; Ronnie Hill, 39, of Glasgow; Jeff Williams, 42, of Newport, Gwent and Andy Rodgers, 40, of Middlesbrough, were thrown 80 ft to the ground.

Bristol Crown Court heard they were working on a gantry underneath the bridge when it suddenly gave way on 8 September, 1999.

He was scared at times, seeing some of the things that were going on

Fran Stewart, victim's mother

Yarm Road, formerly known as Kvaerner Cleveland Bridge Limited, of Hammersmith, London and Costain, of Maidenhead, Berkshire were fined £250,000 each.

They were also ordered to split prosecution costs of £525,000.

Relatives said they were "disgusted" with the fines against the two wealthy companies.

'Tragic' failures

A joint statement said: "We have suffered terribly as a result of their failings and we will continue to do so for the rest of our lives."

The statement said they were pressing for a change in the law, to allow company directors to face personal liability for deaths.

Fran Stewart spoke of her son's fear

The relatives said companies should face corporate manslaughter charges in such cases.

Mr Stewart's mother Fran said after the sentencing: "He often did say to me he was scared at times seeing some of the things that were going on while he was there."

Mr Justice Owen said: "The failures on the part of the defendants were of a very serious nature.

"It should not have required a tragedy of these dimensions to alert them to these failures."

Safety shortcuts

He said the fine did not reflect the value of the men's lives.

Yarm Road had admitted failing to ensure the safety of its employees, including Mr Williams, Mrs Stewart and Mr Rodgers.

It is the culmination of eight months of criminal neglect

Philip Mott QC

Both firms admitted failing to prevent risk to persons not in their employment.

They had pleaded guilty to the offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at a hearing in July.

During the two-day hearing on 29 and 30 November, Philip Mott QC, prosecuting, had told the court: "This was an accident waiting to happen.

High winds

"It is the culmination of eight months of criminal neglect."

The court heard the gantry under the bridge was not properly attached.

The judge spoke of "incalculable" loss

The workmen were attempting to move the gantry when one of the gantry's runners came loose.

Mr Mott said it was like a "curtain coming off the rails".

Wynn Williams QC, defending Yarm Road Ltd, said the firm genuinely attempted to have a proper system of work.

Hugh Carlisle QC, defending Costain Ltd, said there was no deliberate disregard for safety, but no one realised what measures were needed.

The court heard the contract to improve the 2km bridge over the River Avon was worth £150m.