Merseyside company charged over death of teenager felled from bike by lethal wire strung across two trees

Feb 12 2013 by John Siddle, Liverpool Echo

A MERSEYSIDE company is being prosecuted over the death of a teenager who was knocked off his trail bike by wire strung across a country track.

Ryan Acaster, 17, was killed after being thrown from his bike when it hit the cable in Crossens, near Southport.

The Health and Safety Executive confirmed it was taking legal action against wholesale nursery firm JA Jones & Sons (Churchtown) Ltd following the July 2008 tragedy.

The company was a tenant of the Hesketh estate where Ryan, from Southport, died.

The company has been charged with failing to ensure the safety of people visiting the estate.

It will be appear before Liverpool magistrates’ court for a first hearing on Thursday.

A first inquest into Mr Acaster’s death was halted in 2010 after a coroner referred the case to prosecutor but no criminal charges followed.

Jurors at a second inquest in February 2011 recorded a narrative verdict.