Representatives of a local authority charged with breaching health and safety regulations after the deaths of two girls during a school trip appeared in court today.
Leeds City Council is facing two charges of breaching Health and Safety at Work Regulations following the deaths of Hannah Black, 13, and Rochelle Cauvet, 14, at Stainforth Beck, near Settle, in the Yorkshire Dales.
The girls died after they lost their footing during a ''river-walking'' activity and were swept down the fast flowing stream on October 10, 2000.
The activity was part of a residential week planned by Royds School, Oulton, near Leeds.
The Health & Safety Executive is prosecuting the council for contravening the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, in that they failed to ensure the girls and other pupils were not exposed to health and safety risks.
It is also being prosecuted for failing to complete a suitable and sufficient risk assessment in respect of river-walking activities at Stainforth Beck.
Today at Leeds Crown Court, Judge Paul Hoffman adjourned the case until January 20, next year.
No pleas were entered.
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