A CONSTRUCTION firm has been fined more than £130,000 after a young man described as the “perfect” son was crushed to death at work.

James Rourke, 22, from Westcliff, lost his life after being struck and run over by an excavator at Sarazen Gardens, Brampton on November 18, 2019.

The 22-year-old site engineer had been attaching “warning” work signs to fencing around the site when he was hit by the vehicle.

READ MORE >> Mum pays tribute to ‘perfect’ Westcliff son after he was crushed to death at work

James only joined his employer, Materials Movement Limited, months before after graduating from the University of Birmingham with a degree in geology in the summer of 2019.

The firm had been hired to undertake ground clearance works at Sarazens Gardens in preparation for the building of new houses.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found Materials Movement Limited had failed to plan and manage the work at Sarazen Gardens.

The company failed to properly supervise the work that James and the excavator driver were undertaking to ensure it was safe.

The Baldock firm also failed to ensure the work was planned and managed to eliminate any chance of James working near the excavator.

Materials Movement Limited, of Royston Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

On March 22, 2024, the company was fined £133,330 and ordered to pay £8,500 in costs at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court.

HSE inspector Martin Paren said: “This tragic incident led to the avoidable death of a young man.  This death could have easily been prevented if his employer had properly planned, instructed, and supervised the work.

“Our thoughts today are with the family of James, who should have been protected from such harm at work – because of the failings of Materials Movement Ltd he was not.”

James’ mother, Clare, said: “James was perfect. He was a big part of our close family unit. He would do anything for us. We cherished him, dearly. He was a compassionate, valued friend to many and was known for his humour and gentle nature.”