'This was an extremely unique event brought about by a combination of factors as yet unexplained. He added: 'Nobody really knows what caused the fire although it could not have been systemic within the compressor, or it would have happened over the two years, and it didn't. Mitigating on behalf of Shearn and the comapny, Andrew McGhee said the compressor in question had been used for two years without any problems. Shearn, of Frodsham, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to a breach of the Health & Safety at Work Act.Īqua Logistics Limited also pleaded guilty to a breach of the same act. Mr Monaghan told the court Shearn had modified the compressor himself two years earlier in an attempt to combat moisture problems. Geoffrey Shearn, director of Aqua Logistics Limited, admitted breaching the Health & Safety at Work Act (Image: ABNM Photography) The course was being run by an experienced diving instructor from an external company, YU Diving.Įach boy was given their own kit and an air cylinder, which had been supplied by Aqua Logistics, based in Chester Road, Stockport.īut shortly after entering the pool, a number of boys fell ill. Prosecutor Mark Monaghan told Wigan & Leigh Magistrates Court that the incident happened while a group of 12 pupils were taking part in a week-long scuba diving course as part of the school's activities week. The company who supplied the equipment, Aqua Logistics Limited, have now been fined £9,300, while its director, Geoffrey Shearn, avoided jail. READ MORE: Cop aims Taser at a baying mob in Piccadilly Gardens as colleagues try to arrest a suspect The boys were exposed to 'high levels' of the deadly fumes through the air tanks they were using during the lesson in June 2017, a court heard today. One of the boys was placed in an induced coma as medics described his injuries as 'life-threatening'.

Two boys, aged 14 and 15, had to be pulled from the school's on site pool after becoming seriously ill in the water. has tried to contact Aqualogistics but no one from the firm was available for comment.Eight Manchester Grammar School pupils were rushed to hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning following a scuba diving class. It is life support equipment at the end of the day, if it doesn’t work 20m underwater then it is goodnight.”Ī HSE spokesman said: “We are aware of this incident and are supporting the police’s response.” The M.E.N. One Stockport diver, who asked not to be named, said: “We are in the middle of the diving season and there has been lovely weather.

The possibility that carbon monoxide was present in air tanks is being investigated.” Supt Dave PesterĬarbon monoxide in air tanks can be lethal and is especially dangerous under water. “Detectives are investigating the incident with the Health and Safety Executive, and have been working with Public Health England to ensure that there is no wider risk to the public or diving community. Police have confirmed officers are looking at the possibility that carbon monoxide was present in the air tanks. One of the boys remains in hospital where he is in a stable condition, 11 others have been discharged. Our thoughts are with all the boys and their parents and we will continue to offer them support.” “As a precautionary measure the remaining boys who were on the course were also seen at hospital to determine whether they needed treatment. Several of the other boys later felt unwell and were also taken. “Emergency services were called and the two boys were immediately taken to hospital by ambulance. He added: “As part of our activities week an external company was holding a scuba diving course in our swimming pool when two of the boys taking part became very unwell. It adds the shop is currently closed.ĭr Martin Boulton, high master at Manchester Grammar School, in Fallowfield, said the boys were taken ill just after 3pm on Monday. A message on the company’s website says: “Air Fill Recall – If you have any unused gas fills (Air, Nitrox or Trimix) from Aqualogistics, please do not use them and please return them to us for checking”. Police, along with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Public Health England, are now investigating the company who supplied the air tanks – Aqualogistics based on Chester Road, in Stockport.ĭivers have also been put on alert and told any tanks filled and supplied by the business recently must be returned as a matter of urgency. It happened at MGS’s on-site swimming pool. One pupil, aged 14, had to be given oxygen by a school nurse which may have saved his life. Police are investigating after 12 boys from The Manchester Grammar School were taken to hospital with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning after falling ill during a scuba diving class.

Scuba diving carbon monoxide symptoms