Death quarry firm admits failures

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A company has admitted safety failures at a quarry in South Yorkshire where a teenager died.

Amber Worth, 13, was struck on the head by a large rock at the quarry in Grimethorpe, near Barnsley, in 2007.

Carlton Main Brickworks, which owns the quarry, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure public safety.

Magistrates in Barnsley referred the case to Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on 19 November, as crown courts can impose higher punishments.

Amber, from Brierley, near Barnsley, and five friends had headed into the quarry by sliding down steps cut into the face.

She had been in the area for about 15 to 20 minutes when the three-foot (90cm) wide, half-tonne block of sandstone fell on her. She died instantly.

An inquest into Amber's death in September 2008 heard the site had been a haunt for local children for many years.

Fight for justice

The inquest jury found there was easy access to the site, no security patrols and no effective barriers to prevent trespass.

After the inquest, Carlton Main Brickworks chairman Oliver Stephenson said the firm was "devastated" by Amber's death.

The quarry's owner said it had learnt lessons from Amber's death

He added: "Since the accident we have been determined to do all we can to learn from it and to prevent anything like this from happening again."

The prosecution against Carlton Main Brickworks was brought by the Health and Safety Executive.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced after the inquest that it would not pursue a criminal prosecution against the firm.

Outside court on Thursday, Amber's father Mark said he was disappointed in the CPS's decision not to prosecute and the resulting delay in seeing the case brought before the courts.

He said: "It's gone on quite long enough.

"What we want is justice. That's why we are here today and that's why we have been campaigning for the last two-and-a-half years to try to get some justice.

"Finally, hopefully, on 19 November at Sheffield Crown Court we will get it."