New Forest firm fined after boy on work experience injured in crash

Tom Cutler, who was 16 at the time, spent a month in hospital and underwent seven operations after the crash at Folds Farm, in the New Forest. 

His dad said the incident "changed his life forever".

The company that hired his son failed to protect him through a lack of training and supervision, an investigation found.

It was fined £50,000.

The accident

Tom was driving a tractor down an incline when it came off the track and overturned. 

He was thrown out of his seat and his upper leg was trapped under the roof of the tractor. 

No seatbelt was fitted in the vehicle and he was alone at the time. 

READ MORE: Romsey woman wins sexual harassment case against former boss

Tom used his belt as a tourniquet to stem bleeding and punched out the cab window to check his leg.

He also managed to break off a wing mirror so he could turn off the tractor and prevent a fire from fuel that was escaping.

He was found by passers-by who called for help before he was rushed to hospital.

His father, David Cutler, said: "Had it not been for his own bravery and the amazing work by the emergency services we could have lost him.

"He spent a month in hospital and has undergone seven different operations but can’t do the things he used to do.

"He was a keen mountain biker and cricket player but that has all stopped.

"He doesn’t sleep properly and is more anxious; he had to put his education on hold for a year and we as a whole family have found it extremely tough."

The firm's failings

Tom had been working with Earlcoate Construction & Plant Hire Limited when the incident happened on August 3, 2021.

He planned to go on and start a vehicle maintenance course at Sparsholt College.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the work experience provider had failed to adequately protect Tom through a failure of supervision, and by not providing adequate information, instruction, and training to him.

Southampton Magistrates' Court

The Fordingbridge-based firm was fined £50,000 at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on October 16 after pleading guilty to breaching health and safety regulations. 

The company was also ordered to pay court costs of £9,223.

HSE inspector Nicola Pinckney said: “Tom is lucky the outcome was not worse. This was due to his quick thinking, the fact he was found in time by passers-by and the outstanding work carried out by the emergency services and those in hospital providing his care.

“The incident could so easily have been avoided by understanding the risks involved with employing young people.

"This could have been achieved by carrying out a suitable risk assessment and putting in place appropriate information, instruction, and training to both Tom and those working with him, and most importantly, ensuring adequate supervision was in place to ensure correct control measures and safe working practices were implemented.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”