Care home and charity charged with corporate manslaughter after two disabled residents drowned when the boat they were on capsized in lake

Published: 10:21 EDT, 6 October 2026 | Updated: 10:59 EDT, 6 October 2026 A care home and charity have been charged with corporate manslaughter after two disabled residents drowned when the boat they were on capsized in a lake in Devon in 2022. Emergency services were called to Roadford Lake near Okehampton, Devon, after a wheelchair accessible boat began taking on water – resulting in six people entering the lake. The boat was carrying a group on a day trip from Burdon Grange Care Home in Beaworthy, Devon. The Crown Prosecution Service announced this afternoon that Burdon Grange Care Home Limited and South West Lakes Trust have both been charged with two counts of corporate manslaughter after wheelchair users Alison Tilsley and Alex Wood were killed on Roadford Lake Reservoir, in Devon, in June 2022. The care home and trust were both charged with failure to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act. The care home has also been charged with an offence under section two of the Health and Safety at Work Act, relating to an alleged failure to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees.South West Lakes Trust also faces a charge under section three of the Health and Safety at Work Act, relating to an alleged failure to ensure that persons not in its employment were not exposed to risks to their health or safety. A police spokesman said: 'The charges follow a lengthy and complex investigation led by Devon and Cornwall Police alongside the Health and Safety Executive and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.' Father-of-four and wheelchair user Alexander Wood (pictured), 43, drowned on June 8, 2022 Alison Tilsley (pictured), 63, was also killed when the boat capsized on Roadford Lake Reservoir in Devon The Crown Prosecution Service stated it decided to prosecute the care home and trust over the deaths, as well as the health and safety offences. Malcolm McHaffie, Head of the Special Crime Division at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Burdon Grange Care Home Limited and South West Lakes Trust with two counts of corporate manslaughter each. 'They have both also been charged with failure to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act. 'This follows the capsize of a boat on 8 June 2022 on Roadford Lake Reservoir with six people on board and the deaths of 63-year-old Alison Tilsley and 43-year-old Alex Wood. 'Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings. 'We have worked carefully with Devon and Cornwall Police as they carried out their investigation. 'Our thoughts remain with the families of Alison Tilsley and Alex Wood at this time.' The first hearing will take place at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Father-of-four Mr Wood, 43, and 63-year-old Ms Tilsley were dragged under the water by the weight of their electric wheelchairs when the wheelyboat capsized on Roadford Lake in Lifton, north west Devon. Kate Dart, who was in her 50s, also suffered serious injuries when she was recovered face down in the water after the incident in June 2022. A spokeswoman for Burdon Grange Care Home Limited described the incident in which two residents died as 'tragic'.'Our thoughts remain with the families of the two residents who died and with everyone affected by the tragedy,' she said.'We remain committed to providing safe, compassionate and high-quality care for our residents and to supporting their families and our team.'She added that, as legal proceedings were active, it would not be appropriate for the company to comment further at this time.