Boy died after cesspit fall

The court heard the boy was immersed in fluids for six minutes

A four-year-old boy died after falling into a cesspit on the last day of a family holiday at a Cornish tourist park, a court heard on Monday.

Nathan Pringle, from Bracknell in Berkshire, was helping walk the family dog when he plunged through a cesspit cover at Newperran Tourist Park at Rejarrah, near Newquay on 10 August 2001.

Nathan was pulled unconscious from the cesspit and died six days later at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, as a result of a severe brain injury caused by lack of oxygen, Exeter Crown Court was told.

The jury heard that Trevella Caravan Company Ltd, which owns the Newperran site, had pleaded guilty to failing to discharge a duty, under the Health and Safety Act, to ensure the health and safety of visitors.

As a result of failing in that duty Nathan Pringle was allowed to enter the area in question, and fell into the cesspit and died Neil Moore, prosecuting

The manager of the holiday camp, 68-year-old Michael Kelly, of Crantock near Newquay, pleaded not guilty to a charge of manslaughter by gross negligence.

Mr Kelly and Trevella director Alan Frear, 54, of Penwartha, Perranporth, also pleaded not guilty to charges which alleged they were personally responsible for the company's failure because of neglect or connivance.

Nathan and his seven-year-old brother Daniel were on holiday at Newperran with parents Jeffery and Suzanne.

While their parents were packing for the journey home the boys took pet dog Holly for a walk in the field where the cesspits were located.

The cesspits were "inadequately covered" - and when Nathan stepped on one of them it gave way and fell into the four feet of effluent below said Neil Moore, prosecuting.

He was immersed in the fluids for six minutes before being pulled out by his father, who had been alerted by brother Daniel, celebrating his seventh birthday that day.

'Good order'

Mr Kelly was responsible for the maintenance of the site including the area of the cesspits, and the state of the cesspit covers.

"The prosecution say he failed to do that job properly, and to ensure the area was safe," said Mr Moore.

"As a result of failing in that duty Nathan Pringle was allowed to enter the area in question, and fell into the cesspit and died," he said.

Mr Frear, said the prosecutor, was responsible for some of the failings.

Mr Frear told police the covers had been assessed at the start of the season and were in "good order".

The trial continues.