A BELFAST firm of stevedores, Backwood Ltd, was fined £12,000 yesterday and ordered to pay costs of nearly £4,000 following the deaths of two dockers. Crown Court judge Lord Justice McCollum said the deaths of James Kelly (46) and Alphonsus Weir (49) was a "tragic and dreadful accident".
The judge said both men had been "blameless workmen" when they collapsed and died from lack of oxygen in a hatch leading to a cargo hold of the mv Krapanj at Belfast docks on October 23rd, 1995. He revealed that the dockers stood no chance as their path way to the hold, devoid of oxygen, was blocked. Unaware of the deathtrap, Mr Kelly began his decent into the hold and was overcome by fumes. Mr Weir, who was asked to investigate, saw his friend lying unconscious and went to his aid, only to be overcome himself.