Tyre explosion death ‘accidental’

A fitter killed in a tyre explosion in 2006 died an “accidental death”, according to the jury at an inquest into the incident. Matthew Hoare was 21 when the earthmover tyre he was repairing blew up, throwing him 15ft into a metal wall and killing him instantly.

The week-long inquiry heard that Mr Hoare, of Shalmsford Street in Chartham, had been working for Watling Tyres in Sturry Road for about six months when the accident happened. Mr Hoare’s family had hoped the jury would reach a verdict of corporate liability for gross negligent manslaughter. However, according to local newspaper reports, because the accident happened before the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act was introduced in 2007 the jury could not reach a verdict of unlawful killing.

Solicitor for Watling Tyres, Andrew Roach, said: “The thoughts of all the company are with the family and friends of Matthew. He was a popular, hard-working employee, who is still missed some seven years later by his friends and colleagues at the company. The company has throughout this long investigation cooperated fully, and at all times, with both the police and the HSE, and will continue to do so.”