Mum died after plunging 12ft into pub cellar while setting up daughter’s birthday party – as landlords swerve jail
A MUM died after falling into a pub cellar while setting up her daughter's birthday party.
Olwen Collier was told by landlord Philip Hawkins "go around the corner, bear right" as she looked for a function suite.
But the 69-year-old instead opened the door for the pub's cellar - causing her to plunge 12ft to her death.
Hawkins, 49, and wife Tracy, 53, admitted failing to discharge general health and safety duty over the tragedy.
They were today spared jail and instead handed 18 week sentences suspended for 12 months.
Swansea Crown Court heard there was "ambiguous and inadequate signage on the door" leading to the cellar.
Read more news
The horror unfolded at the Stag and Pheasant in the village of Carmel, Carmarthenshire, in January last year.
Mum-of-two Olwen had been helping organise a "surprise" birthday party for her daughter when she took a wrong turn.
Grandson Emyr Raymond told the court he asked Hawkins why the door was open immediately after the tragedy.
The landlord said in response he had been "changing the barrels".
Olwen was rushed to hospital with fractures to her skull and severe swelling to her brain.
She was placed in an induced coma but tragically couldn't be saved and died three days later on January 16, 2023.
Daughter pays heartbreaking tribute to her mum
Daughter Allison Raymond said: "My mum went to the pub looking to set it up for my 50th birthday surprise when an accident happened.
"She went into the bar and told the landlord she was there to decorate the room.
"Mammy was unfamiliar with the pub and pushed on an outer door which was open and fell down into the cellar, which had hard concrete at the bottom.
"I had a phone call from my son to say my mother had fallen. I thought she had just broken her leg or something like that, but when I arrived I could see the severity of it.
"She was put in an induced coma outside the pub. We were told that the next 72 hours would be critical but we knew by the Saturday that there was not much hope.
"I can't comprehend what's happened. I can't accept the fact she is not going to come home. Mammy was such an outgoing person.
"She was fit and healthy and she would do lots of charity work. I just can't get my head around it. It's horrendous. We're still in disbelief. I feel quite sick that she died in that way."
Sentencing, Judge Paul Thomas told the Hawkins that "a healthy, adored lady lost her life because you two did not take sufficient, even the most basic care, in the safety of your customers".
He also said Olwen's death was "utterly tragic and utterly avoidable" as the door was a "fatal accident waiting to happen".
The judge added: "What was meant to be a joyous family occasion on that day turned into the saddest of events.
"Your responsibility was to ensure that no member of the public could enter that room."
