Companies may be prosecuted for deaths of two men
Lee Horton (l) and Daron Pickstock (r) both died following an industrial incident in Bingley
- Published
The Health and Safety Executive is considering whether to prosecute two companies over the deaths of two men.
Daron Pickstock, 43, and Lee Horton, 58, died in hospital following an incident at Castlefield industrial estate, Bingley, on 29 October 2020.
On 1 July a pre-inquest review was held at Bradford Coroner's Court and adjourned pending an investigation into Collins Site Services and Space Productiv Ltd by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The HSE must decide whether to proceed with a prosecution by a deadline of 17 December.
Both businesses are being investigated over breaches of section two and three of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
At the hearing earlier, the HSE's service enforcement lawyer Daniel Poole said: "I will review this case in its entirety."
Mr Poole added that he "may have to pose further charges" and that the review of what happened in 2020 will be "thorough".
Assistant coroner Crispin Oliver said: "Given the current circumstances, I think it will be appropriate for me to adjourn the inquests and suspend them."
An update from Mr Poole will be given to the court on 25 September.
Members of the families of both Mr Pickstock and Mr Horton attended the hearing.
Mr Horton, from Ilkley, was the managing director of engineering company Space Productiv and Mr Pickstock, from Chorley in Lancashire, was a steel erector.
'True gentleman'
Mr Horton was a member of Ilkley Cycling Club, and organised the running of a campsite for visitors to the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2014. His other hobbies included skiing, mountaineering and scuba diving.
Fellow cyclists lined The Grove in Ilkley during his funeral procession, and the club described him as a "heavily involved" ride leader and committee member.
A tribute added that Mr Horton was a "true gentleman and great family man".
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