Jun 22, 2015
Manager found guilty over apple storage unit deaths

Andrew Stocker, a produce manager in the United Kingdom, was found guilty of the manslaughter of two workers he asked to select apples from a low-oxygen storage unit without using breathing apparatus, according to The Guardian.

According to the report, Stocker encouraged “scuba diving” at his apple storage facility, which means “entering the storage units through a hatch in the roof and holding their breath while retrieving the fruit samples,” according to The Guardian.

Here’s more:

Scott Cain, 23, who was engaged to be married to the mother of his young child, and Ashley Clarke, 24, were found unconscious on top of crates of apples at the Blackmoor estate in Liss, Hampshire, on 18 February 2013. Efforts by colleagues and paramedics to revive them were unsuccessful.

Their manager, Andrew Stocker, 57, of Whitehill, who was on holiday in the Maldives at the time, had instructed Cain to gather fruit to enter in the Marden fruit show, held twice a year in Kent, the trial at Winchester crown court heard.

A jury of 11 men and one woman deliberated for more than 18 hours. Stocker will be sentenced on July 1.


Tags: ,


Current Issue

On-farm AI: Water, farm, labor research guide decisions

Data collection tool expands farm management

Carmel Valley winegrapes: Parsonage Village Vineyard

IFTA Yakima Valley tour provides orchard insights

IFTA recognizes tree fruit honorees

Pennsylvania recognizes fruit industry professionals

Fresh Views 40 Under 40

see all current issue »

Be sure to check out our other specialty agriculture brands

produceprocessingsm Organic Grower