Forest Body Fined After Couple Injured by Falling Tree

A body responsible for managing a forest has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after a husband and wife were struck by a tree that was being felled.

The couple were walking their dog along a deer track in the forest. As the tree was falling, the forest ranger who had felled it noticed the couple on the track and tried to warn them, but it was too late.

The wife sustained a traumatic brain injury, as well as a fractured collar bone, a dislocated shoulder and several fractured ribs. She was in hospital for a considerable time and required ongoing physical and cognitive therapy. She experiences speech and emotional problems and is no longer able to drive. The husband suffered cuts and bruising.

An HSE investigation found that the forest management body had failed to identify the risk to members of the public posed by felling trees. Precautions to prevent members of the public accessing the area where the tree was being felled, such as using barriers and banksmen and posting warning signs, had not been taken.

The forest management body pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £8,000. It was also ordered to pay costs of nearly £3,600.