We are working with Quartet Community Foundation to raise funds in memory of friends and colleagues. 

The whole Wessex Water family has been devastated by the tragic events at Avonmouth.  We have been overwhelmed with numerous messages from friends, colleagues, former colleagues,  our regulators and the wider water industry both in the UK and across the world expressing their condolences and support.

The memorial fund is set up to remember all four who lost their lives. We will ask their families and their colleagues at Avonmouth for ideas in setting up both a permanent memorial in Avonmouth and a legacy fund to support young people from the area.

Four people sadly lost their lives:

Brian Vickery aged 63, worked for Wessex Water for more than 42 years.  Brian was one of our most loyal, dedicated and very hard-working employees – a Wessex Water man through and through.  He was respected by his colleagues and never missed an opportunity to make someone smile.  His colleagues say he had knowledge and experience like no-one else did and always put others before him.

Luke Wheaton aged 16, had just started his apprenticeship with Wessex Water.  Luke was ecstatic to be offered an apprenticeship role at Weston College and in the Wessex Water Electrical,  Mechanical & Instrumentation team.  Being ‘sports mad’ he blended with the team immediately.  Luke was hard working, very committed and conscientious and eager to learn.  His no fuss attitude in carrying out tasks was superb and he was everything we wanted in an apprentice and future employee.

Ray White, 57, was a skilled, loyal and hardworking colleague who had worked for Wessex Water for 19 years.  Often known as “the machine” because of his determination and continuous drive to get things done.  He was a mentor to many and described by colleagues as having a love for engineering. Ray was a true old-school engineer and if ‘he couldn’t fix it, nobody could’.  Ray was a very unassuming man and loved restoring vintage tractors in his spare time.  

Mike James aged 64 was the owner of Beaufort Maintenance and had a longstanding relationship with Wessex Water for many years.  We will miss Mike’s dedication and experience.