Fatal Accident at Highland Sand Mine
Colin Thwaites suffered fatal injuries in an accident in October 2024 while working at the Lochaline Quartz Sand (LQS) site on the Morven Peninsula. He was caught in the blades of an industrial fan during his role as an electrician.
The severity of the injuries meant that his wife, Caroline, was initially prevented from seeing his body, which was so disfigured it required specialist recovery and remained in a bag for weeks.
"I just needed to touch him, even his leg, but the police stopped me from doing that," Caroline said. "That I wasn't allowed to do that will stay with me for the rest of my life."
Caroline had anticipated that LQS would face a substantial fine for their involvement in the incident. However, the company was fined £150,000 after admitting breaches of health and safety regulations, a decision Caroline described as "gobsmacked."
LQS characterized the event as a "tragic accident" and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the "highest standards" of safety. The Judicial Office for Scotland noted that sheriffs carefully considered all facts established in court when determining the sentence.
Colin Thwaites: A Dedicated Worker and Family Man
Colin, a grandfather and father of three, had been employed at LQS since 2016 following his and Caroline's relocation from England to the west Highlands.
Previously, he worked at Kellingley Colliery, located on the border between North and West Yorkshire, following in his father's footsteps in the coal mining industry. The colliery closed in December 2015 after 50 years, marking the end of deep coal mining in Britain.
"He absolutely loved his job," Caroline said. "It was an extension of his family, and it broke a lot of men when it closed."
After the closure, Colin received three job offers, including one from LQS. Initially, he took a role as an electrician in a window firm's warehouse, but he did not enjoy it and inquired about the opportunity at the Lochaline mine.
Caroline supported the move, having always desired to live in a rural area, and they traveled north for a visit.
"Colin was not sure this was for us, but decided to take the plunge," Caroline said. "All our three children had flown the nest and he said it would be an adventure."
The Day of the Accident
Colin, who enjoyed rock climbing, triathlons, and ballroom dancing, had settled into his new role. On the day of the accident in October 2024, an ambulance was seen passing through their community in Morvern.
A friend messaged Caroline about the ambulance, but she responded that it could not be for Colin as he had just sent her a text.
"Just after lunch I got the knock on the door no wife wants to receive," Caroline recalled. "Two police officers, a doctor from the local surgery and two managers from the mine were at the door. They told me Colin had died in an accident."
Colin had been working underground near a large ventilation fan attempting to restore power following Storm Ashley. A colleague found him trapped in the fan with fatal injuries.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported "a series of serious failings" in the modification, commissioning, and maintenance of the fan.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Caroline attended Inverness Sheriff Court where LQS pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act. The company was fined £150,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £11,250.
"I was gobsmacked," Caroline said. "How is that any kind of justice? It just beggars belief how lenient that was."
She stated that during a prior meeting with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), she was informed that the maximum fine could be £1.6 million, but there was no minimum limit.
"I would have been appeased at £1m but no lower," Caroline said. She accused the mine of "pleading poverty" and said the fine caused further anguish for the family after 20 months of suffering since Colin's death.
Company and Official Responses
LQS expressed "sincere and heartfelt condolences" to Colin's family and acknowledged their role in the accident. They emphasized that no legal outcome could undo the loss and stated that lessons from the incident were under investigation by the HSE and through an internal review.
A spokesperson said, "We remain firmly committed to maintaining the highest standards of health, safety, and welfare for our employees, contractors, and the community in which we operate."
The Judicial Office for Scotland explained that sheriffs consider the facts of each case carefully when deciding sentences, aiming to balance punishment, reducing reoffending, and protecting the public in accordance with sentencing guidelines.
COPFS acknowledged the distress caused to grieving families during investigations and emphasized that prosecutorial decisions are based on the facts and circumstances of each case.
Police Scotland stated that it works closely with families and manages situations on a case-by-case basis.
Legal Representation and Family Perspective
Caroline's lawyer, Jennifer Wallace, partner at Thompsons Solicitors Scotland, described Colin's death as "avoidable."
"Lochaline Quartz Sand Limited failed in its duty of care on multiple occasions, and over a period of two years there were repeated opportunities to identify and address the risks that ultimately led to his death," she said. "Those opportunities were missed."
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Worker dies at Highland sand mine
