Boatyard admits safety breaches

Ben Pinkham died six days after suffering burns

A Plymouth boatyard has admitted safety offences after the death of a young worker in a fireball explosion.

Ben Pinkham, aged 21, from Saltash, Cornwall, died in hospital six days after suffering 80 degree burns in the accident at the Princess Yachts yard.

The company has admitted two health and safety offences over his death.

Lawyers acting for the firm entered the pleas at Exeter Crown Court where they admitted failing to ensure a safe working environment.

Heating engineer Mr Pinkham was injured when chemicals he was using to clean a tank at the yard ignited in February last year.

Sympathy cards

The keen amateur footballer did not work for Princess Yachts but was employed by the Plymouth-based Nationwide Heating Services.

The boss of that firm, Alan James Mark, 45, is charged with unlawful killing.

His firm, Nationwide Heating Services, of Pennycross, Plymouth, faces a summons for corporate manslaughter and breach of health and safety rules.

The cases against Mr Mark were adjourned without a plea being taken. Princess Yachts International, of Stonehouse, Plymouth, will be sentenced at the end of his trial.

At the time of his death, Mr Pinkham's parents Brian and Janice and his sister Joanna spoke of overwhelming the support from their community.

They received hundreds of sympathy cards and more than 750 people attended his funeral at St Stephen's Church in Saltash.

Thousands of pounds were collected in his memory and presented to Bristol's Frenchay Hospital, which treated him, and Saltash United Football Club where he had played.