Two pest management staff discovered frozen to dying at rooster manufacturing facility
Two pest control workers were found frozen to death at a chicken factory, a pre-inquest review has heard.
Pest control subcontractors Jonathan Collins, 34 and Neil Moon, 49, were found dead in the early hours of October 4, 2018, at the Attleborough chicken factory in Norfolk.
Assistant coroner Christopher Leach told Norfolk Coroner’s Court today that frost was found on the floor of where the pair were found.
He said: ‘They were discovered in a narrow space between an exterior wall of the factory and the wall of the railway station.
‘Both men had frozen hands and faces and there was evidence of frost on the floor.
Neil Moon, 49, (pictured) was found dead in the early hours of October 4, 2018, at the Attleborough chicken factory in Norfolk
Jonathan Collins, 34, (pictured) was also found dead at the chicken factory
‘This inquest is currently suspended and therefore it is not appropriate to proceed into an inquest at this stage.’
A further pre-inquest review has been listed to take place on December 11, 2024.
Last week, Norfolk Police confirmed two companies were being prosecuted for corporate manslaughter.
Their deaths were investigated by detectives from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team, working alongside the Health and Safety Executive.
Norfolk Police said: ‘Banham Poultry Limited, which went into administration in October 2018, is being prosecuted for two counts of corporate manslaughter and two counts of failing to discharge duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
‘Air Products PLC is being prosecuted for two counts of corporate manslaughter and one count of failing to discharge duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.’
A general view of Banham Poultry in Attleborough, Norfolk
Both companies are required to attend Norwich Magistrates’ Court on July 9.
The ownership of the business has changed twice since the tragedy and the current owners of Banham Poultry are not connected to the incident nor involved in the legal proceedings.
Norfolk Police said at the time that a possible refrigeration gas leak was being investigated as a line of inquiry.
The family of Mr Collins said in an earlier tribute that he was a ‘devoted family man who will continue to be loved and missed by all those who knew him’.
Mr Moon’s widow, who did not give her name, described him in a previous tribute as ‘the most amazing husband and father’.
His son described him as ‘my hero and the best father I could’ve ever asked for’, and his daughter said: ‘I will miss him so much and cherish all the memories we had together.’
