My husband died trapped in an industrial fan's blades - we haven't had justice

Warning: This article contains distressing information

When Colin Thwaites died while at work in a Highland sand mine, his body was so badly disfigured his wife Caroline was stopped from seeing him.

He was killed after being caught in the blades of an industrial fan while working as an electrician at the Lochaline Quartz Sand (LQS) site on the Morven Peninsula.

A specialist recovery of his remains from the fan meant it was weeks before Caroline could be in the same room with him - his body remained in a bag.

"I just needed to touch him, even his leg, but the police stopped me from doing that," she said.

"That I wasn't allowed to do that will stay with me for the rest of my life."

Caroline had hoped that LQS would receive a substantial fine for the role they played in his death.

But last week they were ordered to pay £150,000 after admitting breaching health and safety regulations, leaving Caroline "gobsmacked".

The company said it was a "tragic accident" and it was committed to maintaining the "highest standards" of safety.

The Judicial Office for Scotland said sheriffs carefully considered facts established in court when deciding on a sentence.

Colin had worked at LQS since 2016 after he and his wife moved from England to the west Highlands.

The 61-year-old had previously worked at Kellingley Colliery, on the border between North and West Yorkshire, after following his father into the coal mining industry.

The colliery closed in December 2015 after 50 years of production, bringing to an end centuries of deep coal mining in Britain.

"He absolutely loved his job," said Caroline.

"It was an extension of his family, and it broke a lot of men when it closed."

Colin got three job offers, including one from LQS, and chose to take up a role as an electrician in a window firm's warehouse.

But Caroline said he did not enjoy the work and decided to find out if the offer was still open at the Lochaline mine.

She was keen on the move, having always wanted to live in a rural area, and they headed north for a visit.

"Colin was not sure this was for us, but decided to take the plunge," said Caroline.

"All our three children had flown the nest and he said it would be an adventure."

Colin, whose interests included rock climbing, triathlons and ballroom dancing, settled into his new role.

On the day of the accident in October 2024, an ambulance was spotted passing through their small community in Morvern.

A friend messaged Caroline about it and she replied to say it could not be for Colin because he had just sent her a text.

"Just after lunch I got the knock on the door no wife wants to receive," said Caroline.

"Two police officers, a doctor from the local surgery and two managers from the mine were at the door. They told me Colin had died in an accident."

Colin had been working underground near the large ventilation fan while attempting to restore power after Storm Ashley.

A colleague found him trapped in the fan with fatal injuries.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said there was "a series of serious failings" in how the fan had been modified, commissioned and maintained.

Caroline was at Inverness Sheriff Court last Tuesday for the sentencing of LQS, after the Ormskirk-based firm pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The company was fined £150,000 and told to pay a victim surcharge of £11,250.

Caroline said: "I was gobsmacked."

"How is that any kind of justice? It just beggars belief how lenient that was."

She said in an earlier meeting with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) she was told the maximum limit of a fine was £1.6m, but there was no limit on the minimum.

Caroline said: "I would have been appeased at £1m but no lower."

She accused the mine of "pleading poverty", and that the fine brought more anguish for the family who had already endured 20 months of pain since Colin's death.

LQS said it wished to express its "sincere and heartfelt condolences" to Colin's family and friends.

A spokesperson said: "We accept our role in this tragic accident and acknowledge that no legal outcome can undo the profound loss that has been suffered, and our thoughts remain with Colin's family."

It said "lessons" arising from the incident were subject of an HSE investigation and an internal review.

The spokesperson added: "We remain firmly committed to maintaining the highest standards of health, safety, and welfare for our employees, contractors, and the community in which we operate."

The Judicial Office for Scotland said when deciding a sentence, sheriffs would always carefully consider the facts established in court and take into account the unique factors of each case.

A spokesperson added: "They will carefully consider the circumstances of the particular offence, what sentence is most appropriate in terms of punishment, reducing reoffending and protecting the public, having regard to relevant sentencing guidelines."

COPFS said it recognised the distress an investigation of the death of a loved one could cause for grieving families, and its thoughts remained with Colin's family.

It said it took prosecutorial action based on the facts and circumstances of each case.

Police Scotland said it worked closely with families and officers managed situations on a "case by case basis".

Caroline's lawyer, Jennifer Wallace, is a partner with Thompsons Solicitors Scotland. She said Colin's death was "avoidable".

"Lochaline Quartz Sand Limited failed in its duty of care on multiple occasions, and over a period of two years there were repeated opportunities to identify and address the risks that ultimately led to his death," she said.

"Those opportunities were missed."