💔 INQUIRY FINDS 10-YEAR-OLD BOY’S FATAL FALL INTO OPEN MANHOLE MAY HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY SIMPLE SAFETY MEASURES

A public inquiry into the death of 10-year-old Shea Ryan has heard evidence suggesting that the construction site hazard responsible for his fatal fall could have been made safe with inexpensive and straightforward safety measures.

Shea died on July 16, 2020, after falling more than 20 feet into an unsecured manhole at a construction site in the Drumchapel area of Glasgow. His death has remained a source of heartbreak for his family and concern for the wider community, with the recent Fatal Accident Inquiry bringing renewed attention to the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

According to testimony presented during the inquiry, the manhole—identified as MH22—was located within the Garscadden Burn area of the construction site. The opening was covered by a heavy metal lid weighing approximately 80 kilograms. However, witnesses stated that the lid had not been bolted, locked, or otherwise secured to prevent unauthorized access.

Experienced plant operator Stuart Reid testified that although the cover met standard site practices, it was not sufficient to protect members of the public if the area became accessible. He told the inquiry that securing the cover could have been accomplished with basic hardware costing only “about a fiver,” referring to inexpensive bolts available from a local hardware store.

Reid explained that drilling holes and fastening the lid securely would have taken approximately 30 minutes. He also described other simple alternatives, including placing a heavy ballast bag or an iron road plate over the opening, both of which could have significantly reduced the risk of someone gaining access to the shaft.

According to investigators, Shea entered the construction site after climbing through fencing that was reportedly easy to breach. At some point, he fell into the manhole shaft and sustained fatal injuries.

The inquiry has also examined responsibility for the site in the weeks leading up to the incident. Evidence presented included emails and pH๏τographs indicating that a ballast bag had previously been positioned over the manhole before responsibility for the area transferred from one contractor to another.

However, Reid testified that after his team began work on July 1, 2020, he never saw a ballast bag covering MH22 or any other nearby manholes. He further stated that his team had no operational reason to access the manhole during their work.

The inquiry heard there were no technical or logistical obstacles preventing the installation of additional safety measures. Ballast bags were readily available, and securing the cover required minimal time and expense.

As proceedings continue, the inquiry seeks to establish whether additional precautions could reasonably have prevented Shea Ryan’s death. For his family, the hearings have reopened painful memories while highlighting the importance of rigorous safety practices at construction sites.

The case continues to serve as a powerful reminder that even seemingly small safety precautions can have life-saving consequences, particularly in areas where children or members of the public may gain access. 💔🕊️