Story Highlight
– Seven-year-old Harvey Tyrrell was electrocuted at pub garden.
– Pub owner David Bearman sentenced to nine years manslaughter.
– Harvey’s death linked to faulty electrical installations.
– Danielle Jones campaigns for stricter electrical safety regulations.
– Over 56,000 signatures on petition for pub safety reforms.
Full Story
On a seemingly ordinary day in September 2018, Danielle Jones set out to pick up her mother from a train station, leaving her family at a local pub to enjoy a warm evening. Tragically, this would be a day forever etched in sorrow and loss, as their seven-year-old son, Harvey Tyrrell, would not return home with them.
The incident unfolded at the King Harold pub, situated near Romford, Essex, where Harvey was playing in the garden area. While enjoying the sunshine, he encountered a short wall adorned with decorative lighting. Tragically, unbeknownst to the family, one of these lights was electrified. Harvey climbed onto the wall and made contact with a metal railing while seated on the light, which resulted in a fatal electric shock coursing through his body.
At approximately 5.20 pm on September 11, 2018, police and emergency services rushed to the scene after being alerted that a child was unresponsive. Despite immediate medical attention, Harvey was pronounced dead just over an hour later at the hospital, plunging his family into unbearable grief.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Danielle was called back to the pub in a state of panic. “I just remember racing back and finding Harvey lying on the ground,” she recounted. “I went into a complete state of panic. I was in the ambulance with him and just kept rubbing his hand, pleading for him to wake up.” Yet, the hope that accompanied her frantic pleas faded quickly as the reality of the situation sank in. “I always remember the time; it was 18:33 when they told us there was nothing they could do,” she added, her voice filled with a heartbreaking sense of disbelief and despair. “I still can’t believe this happened to us.”
Reflecting on those final moments with her son, Danielle shared how Harvey had wished to stay at the pub longer with his father. His last words to her were a simple, “Love you, Mummy.” Those words, now etched into her memory, serve as both comfort and a painful reminder of the life cut tragically short.
Following an extensive investigation into the incident, it was revealed that the pub’s owner, David Bearman, aged 73, had been found guilty of manslaughter due to his negligence. In April 2021, he was sentenced to nine years in prison for his role in the disastrous failure to ensure safety in the establishment. Bearman admitted to unlawfully drawing electricity from an unmetered supply, actions that directly contributed to the conditions that led to Harvey’s death.
Colin Naylor, the electrician who had installed the lighting fixture, was acquitted of manslaughter charges, yet was sentenced to a year in prison after being found guilty of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act. The findings from the investigation were devastating, revealing numerous faults within the pub’s electrical system. Experts described the conditions as some of the most dangerous they had witnessed in decades, identifying numerous defects that posed severe risks to patrons.
Danielle expressed her outrage upon learning more about the extent of the negligence. “It’s infuriating,” she said, reflecting on the avoidability of the tragedy. “Harvey should be here today. He should be beginning his GCSEs.” The anguish she experiences is compounded by the thought that economic greed and negligence stole her son’s future. “I think about him every minute of every day,” she lamented, adding that her family lives nearby, making the reminders of that fateful day all the more difficult to bear.
In light of her loss, Danielle has become an advocate for stricter safety regulations concerning electric installations in public venues. She has initiated a petition calling for annual inspections of electrical systems in public houses, gathering over 56,000 signatures to date. “It’s shocking that while food hygiene certificates and gas safety checks are mandatory, there are no regulations governing electrical safety in pubs,” she argued passionately. “Out of approximately 45,000 pubs in the UK, many owners operate without oversight on their systems. It’s alarming.”
Danielle’s activism extends beyond petitions; she is collaborating with electrical safety experts to produce educational videos aimed at raising awareness about the potential hazards present in public spaces. As a mother, her instincts have shifted dramatically. “I am now constantly vigilant,” Danielle admitted. “I used to be laid-back, but now every public place makes me anxious. The fear of another tragedy looms large.”
Amidst her heartache, Danielle has welcomed two more children, Jackson and Isla Rose. While she strives to encourage their independence and enjoyment of life, she remains cautious and conscious of their safety. “I don’t want to bubble-wrap them,” she explained, “but I can’t help but stay alert to ensure they are safe.”
Harvey’s mother remains steadfast in her mission to ensure his legacy leads to real change. “He spread so much joy, and I want to honour his memory by fighting for better safety standards,” she declared, hoping that her efforts will prevent others from having to endure the heartache that she and her family now carry.
Her story has emphasised the critical need for accountability in public safety and has sparked a dialogue about the importance of maintaining safe environments for children and families. To learn more about her fight for change, individuals are encouraged to visit the petition’s page, “Make Pubs Safe,” where they can find more information and show their support.
Our Thoughts
The tragic incident involving Harvey Tyrrell highlights several key failures in health and safety practices that could have been addressed to prevent this disaster. The pub owner, David Bearman, breached the Health and Safety at Work Act by operating with unmetered electricity and failing to ensure safe conditions on the premises. Regular electrical inspections and maintenance should be mandated, yet Bearman exhibited negligence that contributed to the avoidable fatality of a child.
The investigation revealed multiple electrical hazards, emphasizing the need for stringent enforcement of existing regulations, including the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, which require that electrical systems be maintained to prevent danger. The lack of systematic inspections creates potential risks in public facilities, signifying the necessity for improved oversight in electrical safety compliance.
To prevent similar occurrences, it is essential that pub owners and managers undertake regular electrical safety audits and that local authorities enforce compliance more rigorously. Additionally, introducing compulsory certification for electrical systems in public spaces, akin to gas safety regulations, could significantly enhance safety and prevent future accidents.
