Two firms guilty over man killed by falling window

Two firms have been found guilty of health and safety failures after a falling window pane killed Mick Ferris in London. Ferris, aged 53, died in October 2018 when a 130 kg glass sheet plummeted 300 ft (90 m) from the penthouse level of The Corniche on Albert Embankment. At Inner London Crown Court, St James Group Ltd and specialist contractors Lindner Prater Ltd were convicted of “failing to discharge a duty” under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Sentencing is scheduled for 24 September. Foster + Partners, the architects behind The Gherkin, and engineering consultants Wintech Ltd were cleared of the same charges. During the trial jurors heard that a similar pane had dropped from the same building in August 2017, yet the design was not substantially altered in response. Prosecuting, Gordon Menzies said: "It's reasonably practicable for clever radical to bash a elemental happening and plan a model that doesn't autumn retired erstwhile each year." After the verdict, Health and Safety Executive senior enforcement lawyer James Towey stated: "We admit the jury's verdict and convey them for their work during what was a lengthy and analyzable trial. "It is hoped the 2 convictions supply immoderate comfortableness to Mick's family. Our thoughts stay with them astatine this time." A spokesperson for St James Group said: "The decease of Mick Ferris successful 2018 was tragic. Our thoughts stay with his household and friends. We admit today's verdict and volition cautiously see its implications." A Foster + Partners spokesperson commented: "Our thoughts stay with Mr Ferris's family, arsenic they person since October 2018. We enactment the court's determination and are grateful to the assemblage for the clip and attraction they person taken successful considering this matter." A Wintech spokesperson added: "While the tribunal has reached its conclusion, the calamity of what happened remains. It is captious that we proceed to bespeak and learn, and arsenic an manufacture stay committed to strengthening standards and practices to assistance forestall specified incidents successful the future." Lindner Prater has been approached for comment.