Fatal Tank Explosion at Castlemartin Range
Matthew Hatfield (left) and Darren Neilson (right) died when a gun exploded on a tank in Castlemartin Range in 2017
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has authorised the highest sanction available for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) following an explosion that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to two others.
Corporal Darren Neilson, aged 31, and Corporal Matthew Hatfield, aged 27, lost their lives when an L30 gun exploded on a Challenger 2 tank at Castlemartin Range, Pembrokeshire, on 14 June 2017.
Two additional soldiers sustained injuries, including one who suffered life-changing harm.
HSE Actions and Authorisations
The HSE announced it has authorised a Crown Censure against the MoD and has authorised prosecution proceedings against defence contractor Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land Ltd.
The HSE clarified that neither the authorisation of criminal charges nor the Crown Censure constitutes a finding of guilt.
Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land Ltd was responsible for producing the safety case for the tank and gun, while the MoD held ultimate responsibility for the health, safety, and welfare of its soldiers, as well as for ensuring the safety case was suitable and sufficient.
As a government body, the MoD cannot be prosecuted in the same manner as private or commercial organisations; thus, a Crown Censure represents the maximum sanction it can receive.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Following an investigation by HSE inspectors, a file was submitted to HSE's legal services division for review. In accordance with the code for Crown prosecutors, the following authorisations were made:
- A Crown Censure against the MoD for allegedly failing to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of soldiers, under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
- A charge against Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land Ltd, formerly known as BAE Systems Global Combat Systems Ltd, for allegedly failing to ensure the health and safety of persons not in its employment, under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Following the decision to issue a Crown Censure, a formal hearing will be scheduled.
The Crown Censure of the MoD and the criminal charges against Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land Ltd will proceed as separate legal actions.
More Stories
- Ditching nightlife for families - the landlady bucking the UK's pub-closure trend
- We all get a bit snowflakey, says head who kept his school open in heatwave
- Tyre tracks on 4,000 year old Bronze Age burial mound after vehicle drives over it
