Indoor ski centre charged over death of boy, 12, killed in horror toboggan crash as he partied with friends
AN indoor ski centre has been charged with failures in health and safety issues, after the death of a 12-year-old boy.
Louis Watkiss suffered fatal injuries while out with friends at a tobogganing party held at the SnowDome in Tamworth, Staffordshire, on the evening of September 24, 2021.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene but Louis, of Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, was pronounced dead despite the best efforts of paramedics.
Louis collided with one of the snow centre’s employees while on the ski slopes, according to the Health and Safety Executive.
A statement issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on Friday said it was prosecuting Snowdome Ltd and had charged the firm with breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The statement read: “Twelve-year-old Louis Watkiss died after an accident at the Snowdome at Tamworth on 24 September 2021.
“After an initial joint investigation with Staffordshire Police, HSE can now confirm SnowDome Limited has been charged with breaching section 3 of Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.”
The case has been listed for a first hearing at Telford Magistrates’ Court in Shropshire on October 9.
Following his death, Louis’ family paid tribute to him, saying he was their “love, pride and joy”, and a talented musician who was sports mad.
They said: “Louis was a son, a brother, a grandson, a cousin and a friend. Louis was a studious pupil who enjoyed learning showing immense curiosity about the world around him.
“Reaching grade 5 at Saxophone through the Royal Academy of Music, his involvement in two jazz ensembles demonstrated his passion for music.
“Louis supported Chelsea and England football clubs and followed England Cricket and Birmingham Bears, regularly watching both sports.
“Along with cheering on AJ and Tyson Fury for their big heavyweight fights.
“We are so thankful George had five happy years with his brother, and he will hold dear the memory of Louis’ stoic personality.
“We are eternally grateful for the honour of knowing Louis and the pleasure of raising him.
“With Louis’ passing, we remind others that his life is one to be celebrated; although we will miss him every day, especially his winning smile, Louis will remain forever in our hearts.
“We love Louis very much. Our pride. Our joy. Our love. We miss him so much it hurts.”
A Staffordshire Police spokesperson, said at the time of the lad’s death: “Police were called to reports that a child had been seriously injured at the Snow Dome.
“Officers attended the location, along with ambulance crews. Sadly, Louis, died of his injuries shortly afterwards.
“Louis’s family are being supported by specially-trained officers.”
Following the accident, Martin Smith, the SnowDome chairman said: “The directors and all of the employees extend their heartfelt thoughts and prayers and condolences.
“Directors and staff are deeply shocked by what happened, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this terrible time.”
His parents Chris and Natalie Watkiss were at home on September 24 when they got a call to say Louis had been hurt.
Heartbroken Chris said that when they arrived at the ski centre they imagined his injuries would amount to no more than a broken arm.
But he told the BBC it was “a very nerve-wracking walk” with paramedics up the slope to where Louis was.
“There was a lot of blood and within a few minutes he was pronounced dead in front of me,” he said.
“I laid with him for a bit, told him he was a good boy and how much I loved him.”
Chris revealed that as Louis lay dying, he “stroked his hair, kissed him a few times, held his hand”.
“I said ‘I’ll kind of go and get your mum. We’ll be back, I’ll be back’.
“They gave us some privacy, which was nice, and we both laid with him for 20, 30 minutes each hold a hand and stroking his hair, just kissing him.”
He said they “just wanted to be as close as we could to him for as long as we could, because his last moments were just there”.
In October 2022, the HSE confirmed it was leading a “criminal investigation” into the death of the schoolboy.
The HSE’s principal inspector, Andrew Johnson, promised to “prioritise and thoroughly investigate any breaches of health and safety law”.
He added that the body was in “regular contact” with the boy’s family.