Shannon Brasier speaks out after almost being crushed in Southend

Shannon Brasier was 20 and working at her "dream job" with Ace Demolition Services Ltd when she was almost killed after the machine crushed her in July 2020 on a construc tion site in Southend.

As she was installing a fuel pump into the excavator it swung round, crushing her between the machine and a fuel tank.

Shannon was left in an induced coma and put on life support after the crush caused a brain injury, broken facial bones and a fractured neck bone.

Shannon, now 22, made a miraculous recovery but is still unable to work as she continues with corrective surgeries and rehabilitation.

She has since spoken out about the anger she feels that the demolition company can "get away with" the incident.

Shannon, from Dagenham in London, said: "How did I fight for my life and the company only get a £20,000 fine and 12 months community service?

"My whole family was told to come to say goodbye to me at the Royal London Hospital and John Gilligan [the director who was supervising on the day] only got a slap on the wrist.

"It was a kick in the teeth, but no matter how I feel it’s not going change the outcome, the judge has decided. I'm just going to keep moving on with my recovery."

Ace Demolition was last week fined £20,000 and almost £10,000 in court costs after the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company in breach of Health and Safety laws.

The supervisor on the day John Gilligan has been ordered to do 250 hours of unpaid work after the case was brought against him and the company by HSE on November 24 at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, Essex.

Shannon Brasier recovering after the incident in Southend (Image: SWNS)

The company and Gilligan admitted breaching Section 2(1) and 37(1) of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

HSE inspector David Tonge said: “This incident could have so easily been avoided.

"While there were a number of shortfalls, this incident ultimately occurred due a failure to keep the workers away from the excavator.

“Duty holders must ensure that individuals are segregated from vehicles and construction machinery.”

Shannon was working with the firm to demolish an old college in Southend on July 28, 2020.

She was helping to load a fuel hose into the back of a 21-ton excavator when it moved around, crushing her between the machine and a mobile fuel tank.

She was air-lifted to the Royal London Hospital and spent weeks in an induced coma. She broke bones in her face, fractured a neck bone, suffers facial paralysis from nerve damage and was covered in cuts down to her shoulders.

Shannon Brasier before the incident (Image: SWNS)

A police investigation was launched into the incident and one man was arrested.

At the time Shannon was the main breadwinner for her household and had been supporting her mum and siblings by paying bills since she was 15.

Shannon said: "I have a mix of emotions. I'm upset and angry. What do you expect from something that happened to a 20-year-old? I had my dream job, I was moving up quickly, and then it just all crumbled underneath me.

"I don't remember much about the incident as I have 48-hour memory loss around the event. I remember using a petrol grinder and then waking up in hospital.

"If they had followed simple health and safety rules and regulations I wouldn't be sitting here."

Shannon Brasier recovering after the incident in Southend (Image: SWNS)

Shannon is in the process of suing the company for damages, though she says she has struggled to get witnesses to testify.

She said: "The lies that have been told are laughable. That's another thing I've had to come to terms with, that in the eyes of the law, the truth won't ever be told."

Shannon is still waiting on surgery to correct her facial paralysis which will need a six-month recovery time.

She is also awaiting tests to see if she is able to return to work in the industry she loves: "I don't know anything better and I'm not willing to learn a new trade. I loved my job."

Ace Demolition Services Ltd has been contacted for comment.