On 16th July 2024, 65-year-old Nicholas Crow was working for Sibbasbridge Limited on a site in Leamington Spa.

While working he fell through a gap in a balustrade into a basement lightwell approximately 2.6 metres below. The gap had been created the previous day when railings were removed to allow the old steps to be taken out.

Nicholas suffered serious injuries, including head trauma and a stroke. He now experiences difficulty writing and holding objects, has mobility issues requiring the occasional use of a wheelchair, and has been left with speech and memory impairments.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Sibbasbridge Limited failed to put in place suitable and sufficient measures to prevent a fall from height.

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The company did not produce a task-specific risk assessment or method statement for the work and failed to ensure that scaffolding or other protective measures were in place before employees began replacing the steps at the property.

On 29th June 2026, Sibbasbridge Limited was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay £7,638 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching The Work At Height Regulations 2005.

“This incident was entirely preventable” said Zach Morris, HSE inspector.

“Sibbasbridge failed to properly plan the works and put suitable measures in place to prevent a fall.

“My thoughts remain with Mr Crow and his family, as he continues to live with the lasting effects of the serious injuries he sustained that day.”

DFT has contacted Sibbasbridge Limited for comment.