20 July 2012 Last updated at 09:09 ET

Esso and Austin & McLean charged over sailor's death

Fuel company Esso and engineers Austin & McLean are facing criminal charges over the death of a sailor.

Juan Antonio Quintanilla Romero, 40, was working on a fuel tanker ship at an Esso refinery in Fawley, Southampton, when a large fuel pipe fell on him.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said Austin & McLean - hired to do work on the tanker - had been charged with gross negligence manslaughter.

Esso are charged with Health and Safety Act offences following the 2008 death.

Mr Romero, from Honduras, had been on board the Spanish-registered MV Castillo de Monterreal which was berthed at the Esso refinery marine terminal.

The fuel pipe fell on him after the jib from which it was suspended gave way when a corroded connector bolt failed, a CPS spokesman said.

Representatives from both companies will appear at Southampton Magistrates' Court on 5 September.