Daily Record
·Jul 2026
Teenager died instantly and alone after being crushed at work
An 18‑year‑old apprentice joiner, Chloe Bidwell, died when unsecured wooden boards collapsed on her while she was working alone at a renovation site in Bangor, North Wales. A court found that Varcity Living Limited failed to implement safe working practices, including proper storage of heavy materials and adequate supervision, resulting in a £50,000 fine. Director David Horrocks received a suspended prison sentence for neglect contributing to health and safety breaches. The Health and Safety Executive reported multiple safety failures, while Bidwell’s family stressed the devastating impact of the incident and urged employers to take greater responsibility for worker safety.