21.09.2022

Investigation into slinger signaller fatality

A formal HSE investigation has been launched into the death of slinger signaller Marius Badiou, 35, who died at Gatwick airport in the UK, on July 22nd.

The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning we understand while he was guiding a load for a tower crane. Following the incident, a joint investigation was launched by the British Transport Police, which has not concluded its investigations and handed it over to the Health & Safety Executive.

Badiou was employed by Kilnbridge, a sub-contractor Costain which is working on the Gatwick Railway Redevelopment Project. The investigation will determine if any breaches under the Health and Safety at Work Act have occurred. HSE principal inspector Ross Carter said: “It is important HSE completes the investigation into Marius’s death to determine the cause of this incident. The HSE will draw upon the evidence gathered so far and call upon its own specialist investigators and independent support in what is likely to be a complex investigation. During the investigation we will continue to keep in touch with Marius’s family as we send them our deepest sympathies at this difficult time.”

At the time the police issued the following statement: “Officers were called to Gatwick Airport station at 12.13am on 22 July, following reports that a construction worker had been injured. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, a 35 year old man was very sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. detectives are working alongside the HSE to understand the full circumstances behind his death.”

Kilnbridge chief executive Dermot McDermott added: “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I can confirm that an incident occurred at our Gatwick Airport Station project site, shortly after midnight in the early hours of Friday July 22, which resulted in the tragic loss of one of our colleagues. On behalf of the entire Kilnbridge business, our thoughts and sympathies are with the family, loved ones, friends and colleagues at this extremely difficult time. Our focus and priority is on supporting the family and on the wellbeing of our colleagues. An investigation has been launched and we are working closely with the BTP and the HSE, who are leading the investigation. We are also liaising closely with our Gatwick Airport Station project clients Costain and Network Rail."

Costain chief executive Alex Vaughan said: “We are shocked and saddened by this incident, and we are fully assisting the investigation into its cause. Our focus at this time is on supporting the individual’s family and on the wellbeing of our colleagues.”