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Gas worker claims supervisor told him to lie before fatal blast

A gas worker has told a court he was instructed by his supervisor to lie about a pressure test before a 2022 explosion that killed 10 people in Jersey.

  • John Wright told police his supervisor, Neil Armstrong, asked him to lie about a pressure test that could have detected a gas leak.
  • Both gas workers, along with Lee Ward and Island Energy, deny charges related to the explosion.
  • The explosion at Haut du Mont flats on 10 December 2022 resulted in the deaths of 10 residents.

A gas worker has told Jersey's Royal Court that his supervisor instructed him to lie about a pressure test before a fatal explosion at a block of flats in December 2022. John Wright said his supervisor, Neil Armstrong, asked him to lie if anyone inquired whether a test had been conducted.

Mr Wright told police in interviews, heard by the court, that he felt he could not "go against" what Mr Armstrong asked of him. He also stated that Mr Armstrong told him to "just put one bag in" for the pressure test, which typically requires two bags to ensure detection of leaking gas.

Mr Wright, Mr Armstrong, and Lee Ward all deny 10 counts of gross negligence manslaughter. Island Energy also pleads not guilty to a combined health and safety case. The trial continues.

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