The Cheshire office of Amec Services is one of two firms fined a total of 拢45,000 at Luton Crown Court after the death of a pensioner.
Amec Services and Lincolnshire-based AMS No-Dig were prosecuted after an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive into a fatal accident on 26 January last year in South Oxhey, near Watford, Hertfordshire A water main was fractured during underground drilling work, causing part of a road to flood. A car driven by Alice Quinn, 63, was stranded in the flood. Quinn died from acute cardiac failure. The companies pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to comply with their duty to the public under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Amec Services was fined 拢25,000 with 拢11,800 in costs. AMS No-Dig was fined 拢20,000 and 拢7600 in costs.

HSE inspector Frank Lambert said: 鈥淭his tragic incident a lesson to all those engaged in excavation works, particularly in public areas. Gas, electric and water services 鈥� must be meticulously planned鈥�