The owner of Pontins has been charged with corporate manslaughter following the death of a woman at its Pontins Brean Sands Holiday Park in Burnham-on-Sea in 2019.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised charges to be brought following a joint investigation by Avon and Somerset Police and Somerset Council into the incident.
Eighteen people were injured when a section of the ceiling and the air conditioning duct fell on guests inside the resort’s entertainment centre at in February 2019.
Among them was 68-year-old grandmother Wendy Jones, who was taken to hospital, where she died six months later.
Following Wendy’s death, Avon and Somerset Police and Somerset Council launched a joint investigation and Pontins’ parent company Britannia Jinky Jersey Ltd has now been charged with corporate manslaughter.
Contractor Stephen Bennison, 58, from Farington in Lancashire, has been charged with an offence under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The defendants will appear before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 6 May 2025.
Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Roger Doxsey, said: “First and foremost our thoughts are with the family of Wendy Jones. We have updated them of the CPS’ charging decisions.
“This has been a complex investigation and we’re grateful for the support of Somerset Council and other partners to reach this stage.
“We would like to remind the public that every defendant in the UK is permitted to a fair trial.
“No commentary, materials or details should be published that could prejudice this court process while proceedings are ongoing.”
Travel Gossip has contacted Pontins and Britannia Hotels Group, which owns Britannia Jinky Jersey, for comment.
