Source: Crown Prosecution Service published on this website Wednesday 7 October 2026 by Jill Powell
The Crown Prosecution Service has announced corporate manslaughter charges for Burdon Grange Care Home and South West Lakes Trust following the deaths of two residents after a boat capsized in Roadford Lake Reservoir, west Devon.
Malcolm McHaffie, Head of the Special Crime Division at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Burdon Grange Care Home Limited and South West Lakes Trust with two counts of corporate manslaughter each.
“They have both also been charged with failure to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act
“This follows the capsize of a boat on 8 June 2022 on Roadford Lake Reservoir with six people on board
and the deaths of 63-year-old Alison Tilsley and 43-year-old Alex Wood.
“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
“We have worked carefully with Devon and Cornwall Police as they carried out their investigation.
“Our thoughts remain with the families of Alison Tilsley and Alex Wood at this time.”
The first hearing will take place at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 11 November 2026.
We remind all concerned that proceedings against these organisations are active and that they have the right to a fair trial.
We remind all concerned that proceedings against these organisations are active and that they have It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.
