An elderly woman died of her injuries after being thrown from a wheelchair while in an Age Concern Westminster minibus, a court heard today.
Olive Sarti, 88, was taken to hospital with a head injury and a broken neck after the incident on Shirland Road, London.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Age Concern Westminster after an investigation that found the minibus driver had performed and emergency stop which resulted in Ms Sarti being hurled from her wheelchair.
The elderly lady was taken to hospital with a broken neck and head injuries. She died two months later on 11 November 2006. The post mortem examination confirmed the injuries sustained on September 20 were a contributing factor to Ms Sarti’s death.
City of London Magistrates’ Court heard that Age Concern Westminster employees had not secured Ms Sarti in her wheelchair, and workers had not been given adequate training by to the charity to ensure wheelchair users were safe while travelling.
Age Concern Westminster of Praed Street, Westminster, London, (pleaded guilty to/ were found guilty of) breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,000.
An HSE Inspector commented
“This fatal incident was foreseeable. There was MHRA guidance easily available to Age Concern Westminster on how to transport wheelchair users safely.
“This organisation fell well below expected standards and Olive Sarti’s death could have been avoided if Age Concern Westminster workers had received adequate training.”
“The seatbelt laws have long been established in British law. Age Concern was aware that people transported in wheelchairs should have these effectively secured and the wheel chair user should have an adequate seatbelt.”
