Icepak director pleads guilty over fatal coolstore blast

The fire at Icepak's coolstore in the Hamilton suburb of Tamahere last year. Photo / James Madelin

Hamilton coolstore Icepak director Wayne Grattan today pleaded guilty in Hamilton District Court to a charge brought under the Health and Safety in Employment Act.

The charge followed an explosion and fire that at Icepak's coolstore in the Hamilton suburb of Tamahere in April last year that left firefighter Derek Lovell dead and seven other firefighters injured.

The court was told charges against fellow Icepak directors Jan van Eden and Iain Slight would be withdrawn at Grattan's sentencing in December.

Icepak Coolstores Ltd and Tauranga-based refrigeration company Mobile Refrigeration Services had already pleaded guilty to similar charges.

The Labour Department withdrew charges against Mobile Refrigeration Services employee Warren Cook.

A disputed facts hearing over the role of Icepak and Mobile Refrigeration in the incident has been scheduled for November 24.

Judge Robert Spear said there would also be a restorative justice process before the December sentencing.

He indicated it would involve discussion of compensation for the firemen injured or killed and their families.

Injured fireman Merv Neil, who was at the court, said it was the first he had heard of compensation from the company.

- NZPA