Parents blame defence chiefs for son's submarine death
Jun 13 2008 by Paul James, The Journal
Click here to read the full copy of the Board of Inquiry report
THE parents of a North submariner killed in an explosion at sea yesterday called for the prosecution of defence chiefs over their “scant regard” for his safety.
Their attack came after an official report ruled that the Ministry of Defence failed to understand the risk associated with the oxygen generators that blew up on board HMS Tireless in March last year, killing Anthony Huntrod, from Town End Farm in Sunderland.
The incident happened during a training operation underneath ice near Alaska in March last year when oxygen units exploded, killing Operator Mechanic Huntrod, 20, and Leading Operator Mechanic Paul McCann, 32, from the West Midlands.
Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth yesterday said he was “extremely sorry” and that the Ministry of Defence must accept responsibility for failings which led to the blast on the nuclear submarine.
Last night Mr Huntrod’s parents, Alan Huntrod and Brenda Gooch, said the safety failings amounted to corporate manslaughter.
The explosion on March 21 last year happened when a Self Contained Oxygen Generator (Scog) that was part of the submarine’s backup generator was lit during a routine drill.
The report said the most likely cause of the explosion was “significant internal contamination” of the cannister with oil, which most likely happened while the canister was on board HMS Tireless.
Mr Ainsworth told MPs that Scogs had been left unprotected on docksides and were at risk of being contaminated on board submarines.
A number of the units which had been earmarked to be taken out of service were returned for use on submarines because paperwork was doctored – although it was not known whether any of these were on board the Tireless. The Board of Inquiry report detailed failures in the “acquisition, manufacture, transport, storage, stowage and logistics management” of the oxygen units.
It found the MoD did not, “at many levels” understand the dangers of a damaged oxygen unit and it had “no confidence” that the stock of units used by submarines is “fit for purpose”.
The report found “lack of quality control” in management of the units allowed those in poor condition to stay in use.
Last night Mr Huntrod’s parents, in a statement, said: “It is beyond belief that in this day and age our armed forces could be managed in a way that has such incredibly scant regard for the safety of those who enlist to serve their Queen and country.
“We feel that if this was in any other walk of life, there would have been a prosecution for corporate manslaughter.
“The report shows a systemic failure on health and safety issues.
“It is clear that there were no systems in place for the safe management of the devices. This would not be acceptable on an oil platform, a chemical plant or any other workplace and it should not be acceptable aboard a submarine.”
Mr Ainsworth said: “These events are unacceptable and it is clear from the Board of Inquiry and other work to date that the MoD must accept responsibility for what happened.”
He added: “It is right for me to apologise unreservedly on behalf of the department for the actions or omissions which contributed to this tragic incident.
“I am extremely sorry, particularly to the families of those who lost their lives or were injured.”
The Crown Prosecution Service has ruled there is not enough evidence to support criminal charges against the MoD.
The Health and Safety Executive has yet to decide whether to investigate the case.
Click here to read the full copy of the Board of Inquiry report
