A charity is one of two organisations that have been charged with corporate manslaughter following a fatal boating incident, where two people died and a woman was left seriously injured.

South West Lakes Trust has been charged with an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act, following the incident in June 2022 when a wheelyboat carrying a group on a day trip from Burdon Grange Care Home capsized at Roadford Lake near Okehampton, Devon.

This incident resulted in six people falling into the water. Wheelchair users Alex Wood, 43, and Alison ‘Ali’ Tilsley, 63, both from West Devon, died, and a woman in her 50s was seriously injured.

The charity’s charge relates to an alleged failure “to conduct its undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, that persons not in its employment were not exposed to risks to their health or safety”, according to Devon and Cornwall Police.

Meanwhile, the care home has also been charged under health and safety legislation, relating to an alleged failure to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its staff.

The first court hearing will take place at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on 11 November.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the charges “follow a lengthy and complex investigation” carried out alongside the Health and Safety Executive and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.

South West Lakes Trust manages around 18 sites in the region, including in Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.

The Trust's chief executive James Platts said: “We will of course be fully cooperating with the court. It would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.

“Our thoughts remain firmly with those affected by this tragedy, their friends and family.”

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