Tamworth SnowDome fined £100k over Louis Watkiss death

Alex McIntyre

BBC News, West Midlands

Liz Copper

BBC Midlands Today

Family A young boy smiles whilst looking at the camera. He appears to be in a living room. He is wearing a khaki coloured shirt over a white T-shirt. — Louis Watkiss, 12, was injured at the SnowDome on 24 September 2021 and died at the scene

An indoor ski centre has been fined £100,000 following the death of a 12-year-old boy.

Louis Watkiss, from Sutton Coldfield, died at the SnowDome in Tamworth, Staffordshire, on 24 September 2021 during a tobogganing party with friends, after he was injured in a collision with a member of staff.

Following an investigation, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) charged SnowDome Limited with breaching health and safety regulations.

The firm pleaded guilty and was sentenced at a hearing at Telford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

It was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £2,000 and costs of £14,534.20.

Following the hearing, the HSE said Louis was descending the main ski slope on a toboggan when it slid into the back of a member of staff who was conducting a slope walk.

The staff member fell backwards onto Louis, who died at the scene from head injuries, the HSE said.

Louis was fatally injured while on the slope at Tamworth SnowDome

HSE An indoor ski slope with lights on the roof and advertising boards along the walls that show people skiing. — Louis was fatally injured while on the slope at Tamworth SnowDome

A joint investigation with Staffordshire Police found SnowDome Limited had failed to ensure the safety of its customers tobogganing at the venue.

It also found there was not a sufficient risk assessment for tobogganing activities, and that the firm had not “fully considered all persons likely to be on the slope during tobogganing”.

Nathan Cook, senior enforcement lawyer for HSE, said: “Louis went to a friend’s birthday party at the SnowDome and should have returned home safely to his family after an enjoyable occasion.

“Tragically, due to the failings of SnowDome Limited, this did not happen. Louis’s death could have been prevented if the company had adequately assessed and controlled the risks associated with tobogganing activities.”

He said the case should act as a reminder for venues to make sure suitable risk assessments are in place.

Louis’s parents have since called for a change in the law to make helmets compulsory during similar activities

Family A man and woman with a young boy, all wearing sunglasses, posing for the camera while at a boardwalk fairground. — Louis’s parents have since called for a change in the law to make helmets compulsory during similar activities

Louis’s parents Chris and Natalie Watkiss have spoken previously about how they were called about the incident and initially believed it was a minor injury.

Mr Watkiss said Louis, a talented saxophonist, was pronounced dead right in front of him within a few minutes of him arriving at his son’s side.

“I laid with him for a bit, told him he was a good boy and how much I loved him,” he told the BBC.

Mr and Mrs Watkiss have since called for a change in the law to make helmets compulsory during similar activities.