THE organiser of a firework display held on the night of a fatal pile-up on the M5 in which a Newport couple died, will stand trial today for breaching health and safety regulations.
Seven people died in the accident, which involved 34 vehicles and has been described as one of the worst British motorway crashes in memory.
Anthony and Pamela Adams, from Newport, Maggie and Michael Barton, Malcolm Beacham, Terry Brice and Kye Thomas were killed in the incident on November 4, 2011.
More than 50 others were injured.
Geoffrey Counsell, 51, of Ashill in Somerset, was operating a firework display in a field close to the motorway, at Taunton Rugby Club, at the time.
He was later charged with failing to ensure the safety of others contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act.
The charge alleges Counsell failed to ensure he operated the firework display so as to ensure, as far as was reasonably practicable, that others who might be affected were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.
Counsell pleaded not guilty to the charge in April and his trial is due to begin at Bristol Crown Court.
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