Colas fined £90,000 after two workers electrocuted

Colas has been handed a £90,000 fine following a double tragedy that saw two of its workers die while working on the A66 near Bowes in County Durham.

Fred Cook, 38, and John Crimmins, 33, were both electrocuted in January 2002 when the mobile tower light they were pushing came into contact with a high voltage power line.

Main contractor Colas pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations following the incident.

HSE inspector Rob Hirst said: "This tragic incident could so easily have been avoided. Had the risks from inadvertent contact with overhead power lines been recognised, the work activities properly planned and suitable control measures put in place, then this incident would not have occurred."

Colas was fined £90,000 and ordered to pay £24,000 in costs at Teeside Crown Court.