Ollie Floyd, a 20-year old operator for Complete Weed Control, has died after his vehicle rolled into a lake on the Twenty Ten Course at Celtic Manor last Tuesday morning.
On behalf of the Company a spokesman said, “It is with great regret that we can confirm one of our operatives, Ollie Floyd, yesterday died at the Celtic Manor Resort following an incident which saw a spraying vehicle roll into a lake on the Twenty Ten Course.
“The incident is clearly subject to an on-going investigation which Complete Weed Control and Celtic Manor are co-operating with fully. Our thoughts are with the family at this extremely sad and very difficult time. A further statement will be issued in due course.”
A statement issued by the Celtic Manor Resort said: “The Celtic Manor Resort is deeply saddened to confirm that a fatal accident took place on its Twenty Ten Course at around 7.50am on Tuesday 3rd March.
“The incident is subject to an ongoing investigation which the Celtic Manor Resort is co-operating with fully. The resort is unable to comment further at this stage. Our thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time.”
Jim Croxton, CEO of The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association, said, “Everyone at BIGGA was shocked to hear of the tragic accident and our thoughts go out to all of Ollie’s family, friends and colleagues as well as all those at Celtic Manor who will be so profoundly affected by the incident. The greenkeeping industry is very close knit so a loss like this is felt very keenly across the board.”
“Coming only just over a year since a similarly tragic accident at Hinckley Golf Club this serves as a stark reminder that there are risks involved in working with machinery and Mother Nature. Golf courses are beautiful environments in which to work but we must make every effort to ensure they are safe environments also, for greenkeepers and golfers alike.
“The duty of care for our employees and customers must be our primary concern and we must all devote both the time and the resources to keep it so.”
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