The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are liaising with the police over the deaths of twin brothers who drowned in a fish tank at the family home in Fife, the BBC has reported. The house is believed to have belonged to a landlord who previously ran a business there selling ornamental koi carp.
The brothers named as Rhys and Shaun Scott, who were two years old, were found in the garden tank on Saturday (12 March). They were pronounced dead later in hospital.
In 2012, Fife Council gave planning permission for the “installation of a fish tank and enclosure to the side” of the house, at an estimated cost of £25,000.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We are continuing with our inquiries into the tragic deaths of Rhys and Shaun Scott at an address in Dalgety Bay on Saturday 12 March.
“In this instance, we have consulted with the Health and Safety Executive as part of our ongoing investigation.
“We are continuing to support the family with a specialist family liaison officer and inquiries are ongoing.”
An HSE spokeswoman said: “We are liaising with the police over the twins’ deaths.”
In a statement issued through Police Scotland, the twins’ parents, Mervyn Scott and Sarah Aitken, said: “Both boys were long awaited little soldiers who were full of love, happiness, fun and cheek.
“Individually and together they have touched the lives of everyone they met.
“We along with our family and friends are still in shock and devastated at such a tragic loss from such a ‘freak’ accident.
“They have been taken from us far too early and will be forever missed and loved.”
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Isn’t the safety of children in the home the responsibility of the parents? Trying to blame landlords for this type of thing may set a precedent. I agree if the heating system, electrical system or another aspect of the rented property is dangerous; but this tank was there when the family moved in and it doesn’t take the brains of an Archbishop to work out the risks!
Allowing blame shift in this type of incident allows parents to absolve themselves of responsibility for their own children. This is something which has become rife in society.
We are becoming a country where it is always someone else’s fault when things go wrong and personal responsibility has diminished, to almost become a thing of the past.
I agree here with Bob, when my children came along I made a cover for my pond. This is so sad and I really feel for the parents here. It’s difficult to make a judgement here as we don’t know all the facts to this investigation but all we can do is take the findings and help others.
In the absolutely tragic circumstances I think it is probably best we await the findings of the investigation, I simply cannot imagine how distraught these poor parents must be at this time and I’m sure all our thoughts are with them. Bandying about blame seems extraordinary given the subject matter and current state of knowledge in my opinion.
Im sorry but parental responsibility are the keywords, who lets a couple of 2 year old lads play in a garden without supervision, knowing(?) full well that there is a drowning hazard present.
Going after the previous landlord? the blame culture is far from dead in this country if that is the case.
For anyone concerned that their property has the potential to cause harm, for whatever reason you can contact your local council.
Local councils use the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to assess if your rented home has hazards that could put your health at risk.
You can find more information at http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/health_and_safety/hhsrs
Bob,
Apart from showing a complete lack of sympathy, your post shows a complete lack of knowledge regarding health and safety, legal responsibilities, or duty of care therein.
Now like you I am not aware of all circumstances surrounding this incident, so will not, and would not in any case either appropriate blame, or jump on a political bandwagon using the death of two children.
Andrew – when my children were small, I didn’t need to go to a website (not around then) to manage the potential hazards they may face at home. My wife and I managed their safety, in and outside the home (I fitted rear seat belts long before they were law).
Actually I do know all about duty of care and legislation and safety – but I also know the absolute responsibility for children’s welfare in their home lies with the parents.
I have all the sympathy in the world with these parents and would not wish to be in their shoes and am not pre-judging anything. But I do not believe this is something the HSE should be getting involved with. As Dominic Cooper has stated, the HSE should be more proactive in the hazardous workplaces where they belong.
As I said, it could potentially set a precedent where parental responsibility can be absolved.
If SHE did not want comments, they should not have them available on some items.
Bob,
It perhaps would have served you better by starting your post, “I have all the sympathy in the world with these parents and would not wish to be in their shoes and am not pre-judging anything”
I think the reason the HSE is involved is due to the fact the property was a commercial premises, and may still be a rented accommodation. You don’t know how or if this family complained to the landlord to have this task removed, and your comment “I agree if the heating system, electrical system or another aspect of the rented property is dangerous;” begs the question why not the big tank of water in the yard? Safety is not a definitive list of what is safe and what is not. That is the basis of safety law in the UK since 1974.
I don’t agree with anything in your post, it is mostly a rant against the way thing are now, and by insinuation how much better things were in the past, usually meaning “if your employer in his pursuit of wealth injures you then keep quiet.”
And for the comment it absolves the parents, really, you should think hard about that!
I would advice people to stop passing comment on this tragic event. To all who have commented, as a father to two sons I remember a saying troublesome two’s, until all the facts are investigated by the authorities leave the family alone and shame on you the bad news media. Educate people people at an earlier age about H&S in schools, instead of target driven education. Peace, love, compassion to the parents at this sad time.