Five arrested over death of labourer in Spain's Palma de Mallorca

THE National Police have arrested five people in connection to the death of a labourer at the Son Roca municipal swimming pool in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
The 54-year-old man died in August of last year after falling seven metres from scaffolding erected inside the premises. Investigators had determined that there was an attempt to cover-up his death as the scene of the fatal incident was tampered with. This interference included disassembling the scaffolding and cleaning up the man’s blood. They also indicated that there was serious negligence and that his co-workers had failed to assist a person in danger.
Forensic evidence collected at the time pointed to the scaffolding not having the necessary safety requirements, where its deficiencies resulted in two workers plummeting to the ground – the deceased man who died some hours later at Son Espases hospital, and another who suffered a heavy blow to his head.

The five people arrested include two heads of the company who had previously been awarded a contract for improving the swimming pool, both being charged with reckless homicide. Two of the victim’s colleagues who are illegally residing in Spain have been charged with non-assistance to a person in danger. A fifth person has been charged with falsifying health and safety documentation.