Day 086 - 09 Feb 95 - Page 02
1 Thursday, 9th February 1995.
2
3 MS. STEEL: So we have an idea what is going on, we are almost
4 certain to be finished today -- probably with a couple of
5 hours to spare.
6
7 MR. JUSTICE BELL: You might think about during the day,
8 everyone, in the light of that, about tomorrow, what is
9 going to happen tomorrow. Yes.
10
11 MR. ATHERTON, continued.
12 Cross-examined by the Defendants, continued.
13
14 MR. MORRIS: Do you know about the death of Mark Hopkins in
15 October 1992 in Manchester?
16 A. Yes, I have heard about Mark's death.
17
18 Q. Is that an incident that is well known in the company?
19 A. Everyone knows about that.
20
21 Q. And taken seriously?
22 A. Yes, I cannot see how -----
23
24 Q. He was a floor manager who was electrocuted, yes?
25 A. Yes.
26
27 Q. What criticism, what fault, do you accept for
28 responsibility for that incident, as a company, not you
29 personally?
30 A. I do not feel I am able to comment as a company on
31 that. I was not in a position when that incident
32 happened. I just know my own personal view on it but I do
33 not know, as a company, whether I could comment or
34 understand what -- I do not know the circumstances around
35 it. The person who was in charge of that and investigated
36 it thoroughly was Jill Barnes who is along later. It was
37 her responsibility at the time that Mark's unfortunate
38 tragedy happened. I was not in the position that was
39 responsible for health and safety.
40
41 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I think all what Mr. Morris is really asking,
42 do you know of some lapse, failure or gap in procedures
43 which ---
44 A. From?
45
46 Q. -- in your experience, which is spread over a number of
47 positions you have been in?
48 A. From my understanding, what I have heard of the case, I
49 do not think we were at fault in any way.
50
51 MR. MORRIS: So you were an Operations Supervisor at that time?
52 A. Operations Manager -- hang on, I believe I was in
53 Operations Development, it was 1992. It was round about
54 the period.
55
56 Q. October 12th, 1992?
57 A. I was in the position of Operations Development Manager
58 in -----
59
60 Q. But you were not responsible for any stores at that time?