HSE to prosecute Newcastle City Council

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecution is being brought against Newcastle City Council following the death of six-year-old Ella Henderson.

Ella was hit by a falling tree at Gosforth Park First School on Friday, 25 September 2020. She died at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle the following morning.

Newcastle City Council will face a charge under section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

The charge follows an investigation by HSE, initially led by Northumbria Police.

The first hearing is due to take place at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on 10 January 2023.

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. hse.gov.uk 
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: legislation.gov.uk/
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk