A tragic incident at a hotel pier near Killin resulted in the death of a dad-of-two, Greg Deakin from Glasgow. The Fatal Accident Inquiry into his death revealed that the cause was using equipment and a method of working on the pier that were deemed “inherently unsafe.” The accident occurred on October 6, 2021, when the JCB excavator Deakin was operating toppled into Loch Tay, leading to his drowning. The incident took place at the pier area within the grounds of Ardeonaig Hotel, where Deakin, 48, was a director and employee.
Ardeonaig Limited, the company associated with the hotel, was renovating the premises and the pier at the time of the accident. As part of the renovation works, a marina was being developed, and improvements to the pier were ongoing. During the Fatal Accident Inquiry held at Stirling Sheriff Court, evidence was presented, and conclusions were drawn. Sheriff Derek Hamilton determined that the excavator was too wide for the pier, causing it to topple into the water with Deakin trapped inside the cab.
The investigation highlighted that the excavator tracks were wider than the pier itself, leaving little room for maneuvering safely. The tragic sequence of events occurred when the excavator slipped off the pier’s edge as Deakin attempted a turning maneuver. Despite efforts by his colleague and emergency responders, Deakin remained trapped in the submerged cab and ultimately lost his life. The Health and Safety Executive carried out an investigation, which revealed the unsafe working conditions and equipment used during the fatal incident.
Sheriff Hamilton’s report concluded that the accident was a result of Deakin using equipment and a method of working that posed inherent risks. The excavator’s size and width made it unsuitable for operation on the pier, leading to the tragic outcome. The Sheriff offered condolences to Deakin’s family, acknowledging him as a hard-working and community-minded individual. Following the publication of the determination, Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks expressed sympathy for Deakin’s family and ensured that the circumstances of his death were thoroughly examined.
The findings of the Fatal Accident Inquiry shed light on the importance of workplace safety and the need to adhere to proper protocols to prevent such tragic accidents in the future. The loss of Greg Deakin serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of using unsafe equipment and methods, emphasizing the critical need for ensuring safety measures are in place to protect workers in all environments.