Police renew pledge to find answers on Didcot seven-year anniversary

The message was released on Thursday 23 February, which marks the seventh year since
four workers lost their lives.

Thames Valley Police Deputy Chief Constable, Jason Hogg said: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are today with the families.

“We continue to investigate this incident looking at offences of Corporate Manslaughter, Gross Negligence Manslaughter and Health and Safety at Work Act offences.”

The joint investigation is being conducted by Thames Valley Police with the Health and
Safety Executive.

The incident happened on 23 February, 2016 when demolition workers Mick Collings, Chris Huxtable, Ken Cresswell, and John Shaw were preparing to demolish a boiler house at the site of the Oxfordshire power station. The structure suddenly collapsed and they were buried under tonnes of rubble.

It is a “hugely complex” investigation, say the Police with “vast amounts of evidence and witness statements” involved.

Police have already carried out over 1,920 witness interviews and sifted through almost 900 tonnes of evidence, reported the BBC.

But a safety campaign group, which has been supporting the families of the deceased workers, expressed “grave concern” that the investigation has taken so long to conclude.

“Justice delayed can be justice denied for the families and leaves current workers exposed to the risks,” said the statement released by Hazards.

Gail Cresswell, wife of Ken Cresswell also commented in the statement: “We can’t believe it has taken seven years and still no end in sight. We still have no answers for our men who just went to work.”

Tia Huxtable, 18, daughter of Chris Huxtable, paid tribute: “My dad Chris was the most loving heart-warming person you could ever meet, always had a smile on his face, he worked for his family.

“Seven years on and still no answers, still no explanation on why my dad lost his life the way he did.”

The boiler house at Didcot A power station was a steel framed building with the boilers suspended from the superstructure and above ground level to allow for their expansion.

At the time of the collapse, it was being prepared for explosive demolition which was to take place on 5 March, a process which involved cutting the structure to weaken it.

When the incident happened, the rubble from the collapse was so extensive and unstable, it took over six months before all five of the workers’ bodies could be recovered.

Deputy chief constable, Jason Hogg added they would continue with “unwavering determination” to find answers: “I know that the families are still waiting for the answers about what happened to their loved ones.

“We will continue to do everything in our power to complete our joint investigation as soon as possible.”