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Mum's plea for justice

May 3 2009 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

A CAMPAIGNING mum whose son was killed in an horrific workplace accident has made an emotional plea for justice to MPs.

Linda Whelan’s son Craig was killed while trying to demolish a chimney seven years ago, and his devastated mother has been battling to save other families from the same heartache.

Craig, 23, was working for a company tasked with demolishing a chimney at Carnaud Metal Box Factory in Bolton, Greater Manchester, when he was engulfed in a fireball inside the structure.

He and colleague Paul Wake- field were sent into the chimney with special “hot cutting” gear, even though his bosses had been advised only to use cold cutting equipment, and it was a decision that cost them their lives.

Two years later, three of his employers were cleared of manslaughter but were fined a total of £17,000 after pleading guilty to health and safety offences.

Since then, 53-year-old Linda, of Willington, near Crook, County Durham, has channelled her grief into positive action by forming FACK – Families Against Corporate Killing – in a bid to make conditions safer for other construction workers.

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