Three arrested after fatal bridge collapse on Lancashire farm
24th January 2022
Lancashire Constabulary has confirmed three arrests have been made following a bridge collapse on a farm that killed one person and hospitalised two others.
Stock photo.
Three men have been arrested in connection with a serious incident on a farm in Roeburndale last week (18thJanuary), which saw a vehicle and trailer carrying 11 people fall into a river.
Police arrested and released a 55-year-old man from Preston, a 57-year-old from Lancaster and a 52-year-old from Lancaster on suspicion of gross-negligence manslaughter. They remain under investigation.
Officers were called to the farm last week when the wooden bridge, supported by scaffolding, collapsed, sending a Polaris Ranger vehicle pulling a trailer into the vehicle. Eleven people were in the vehicle at the time of the collapse as part of an organised shoot.
Brian Harwood, 73, from Penrith, Cumbria, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other men are receiving treatment in hospital for their injuries.
Detective inspector Mark Dickinson, of Lancashire Police’s force major investigation team, said: “This investigation remains in its early stages and we are conducting a number of enquiries to establish exactly what has happened, including whether any criminal offences were committed.
“Three men have been arrested and are assisting police with our enquiries. They have now been released, but remain under investigation.
“We are supporting the families of those involved and working with partners, including the Health and Safety Executive, to establish what caused the bridge to collapse.
“Our thoughts remain with Mr Harwood’s loved ones and everyone affected by this tragic incident.”
Anyone with information about the incident can contact police on 101 quoting log 0953 of January 18.
