Joshua Hardman, 23, died after a tractor tire exploded at a farm near Preston. Safety failures led to a fine for the company.
Joshua helped inflate a large tractor tire. Bill Hesketh, a business partner, also helped. The tire suddenly exploded during inflation, and the wheel rim hit Joshua, causing serious head injuries.
Joshua went to the hospital for surgery. Doctors operated on his skull and brain. Sadly, his condition worsened, and he passed away on June 11.
An investigation followed the tragic event. Officials found safety failures at W Hesketh and Sons farm. The company received a fine of £80,000 because they did not assess the risks properly, and they also lacked safety measures for inflating tires, according to officials.
The investigation revealed poor maintenance. The tire, rim, and tube were all damaged, but the company did not check if they were safe to inflate.
W Hesketh and Sons admitted a safety violation, breaking the Health and Safety At Work Act. Besides the fine, they paid £8,605 in costs. The hearing occurred on February 4, 2025, and it was held at Preston Magistrates Court.
A safety inspector commented on the incident, with Anthony Banks stating it was easily avoidable with proper safety controls. He stressed the need for assessment, stating that employers must manage risks with large tires.
Prosecution was led by Gemma Zakrzewski, and Rebecca Foreman also provided support.