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Council fined over railings death Council fined over railings death
(10 minutes later)
A city council has been ordered to pay £100,000 in fines and costs following the death of a 12-year-old girl who was crushed by railings at a city park.A city council has been ordered to pay £100,000 in fines and costs following the death of a 12-year-old girl who was crushed by railings at a city park.
Derby City Council was fined for breaking health and safety regulations at Derby Crown Court on Friday.Derby City Council was fined for breaking health and safety regulations at Derby Crown Court on Friday.
Vicci Thomas suffered head injuries when iron railings at Osmaston Park fell on top of her in 2003.Vicci Thomas suffered head injuries when iron railings at Osmaston Park fell on top of her in 2003.
An inquest ruled the death was accidental but poor maintenance by Derby City Council played a part.An inquest ruled the death was accidental but poor maintenance by Derby City Council played a part.
'Rotten ironwork''Rotten ironwork'
Since the accident, the city council has removed the railings in the park and replaced them with smaller fencing.Since the accident, the city council has removed the railings in the park and replaced them with smaller fencing.
The council was fined £42,000 and ordered to pay £58,000 in costs.The council was fined £42,000 and ordered to pay £58,000 in costs.
A council spokesperson said the fine was "excessive" and an appeal is being considered. In a statement released after the hearing, the council said it "deeply regretted" the accident and sent its condolences to Vicci's family.
"We accept it was reasonable for us to have had the routine examinations in place, which was our reason for pleading guilty.
"We have been doing that since May 2003. However, to our knowledge, no other local authority inspected park boundaries at that time."
The council said it was considering legal advice to appeal against the level of penalty it received.
Vicci was playing on the railings with some friends when two sections collapsed on her.Vicci was playing on the railings with some friends when two sections collapsed on her.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the death and said the city council had failed to properly maintain the railings.The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the death and said the city council had failed to properly maintain the railings.
The supports were weathered and the ironwork was rotten, the HSE report said.The supports were weathered and the ironwork was rotten, the HSE report said.
The city council pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to ensure the health and safety of the public.The city council pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to ensure the health and safety of the public.
Vicci's family said after the hearing that it was "a shame" that it took her death for lessons to be learned.Vicci's family said after the hearing that it was "a shame" that it took her death for lessons to be learned.