'Loving grandad' died after falling through hole in bathroom floor left by workers

A grandad described as the 'kindest person you could ever meet' died after falling through a hole in his bathroom floor. Kenneth Armitage was having his bathroom converted into a wet room.

Workers had removed floorboards to access pipework, but left an unguarded hole in the floor. Mr Armitage, 81, fell through the hole and landed on the kitchen floor below.

He was tragically found dead by his son-in-law the following evening, Yorkshire Live reports. The Health and Safety Executive has investigated the incident and the company responsible.

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Mr Armitage was having the work carried out at his property on Whitestone Drive in Huntingdon, York, by construction company Cooper and Westgate. The HSE said the floorboards had been removed on February 8, 2019, with Mr Armitage found dead the following evening.

Its investigation found Cooper and Westgate failed to adequately secure the hole as its employees were not properly trained. The company had also failed to undertake a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, or a method statement for the work involved.

Kenneth's daughter, Suzy, said: "Our dad, who was sadly taken away from us, was everything to us. He was the kindest person you could ever meet. He was a fantastic dad to me, my brother and a loving grandad to all our children.

"I can't believe he has gone, I keep thinking it's a horrible nightmare and I will wake up and he'll be there. Our hearts were broken that day and may never heal. It should have never happened. We are all still struggling to come to terms with losing him."

Cooper and Westgate Co. Ltd, of Navigation Court, Calder Park, Wakefield, West Yorkshire was found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £150,000 and ordered to pay £50,000 in costs at Leeds Magistrates' Court on September 17, 2024.

HSE inspector Yolande Burns-Sleightholme said: "Employers need to fully assess and control the risks from holes in domestic properties and recognise the importance of securing them effectively. They should then pass this knowledge on to their employees through suitable training and guidance.

"This incident could so easily have been avoided had Cooper and Westgate properly assessed the risks, put in place safe working practices and provided the correct training to its employees." The company has been approached for comment.