Tasmania’s Work Health and Safety Regulator has laid charges against Ben Yole Racing following a car crash in the state’s north two years ago.
In early 2023, a car towing an unregistered and overloaded horse float veered off the road and crashed on the Batman Highway near Sidmouth on the morning of January 30.
The crash left four of Yole’s employees with serious injuries, killed four horses and resulted in charges for the driver, 21-year-old stable hand Lily Blundstone.
Blundstone, who briefly fell asleep at the wheel just before the crash, was sentenced to a suspended ten-week jail term.
On Thursday, Work Health and Safety Regulator Sam Thompson confirmed Ben Yole Racing Pty Ltd is facing six charges under the Work Health and Safety Act and the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act.
The charges include failing to manage fatigue and failing to ensure the safe towing of a horse float.
The company is also accused of failing to report a notifiable incident and not holding a workers’ compensation insurance policy.
“As the matters are before the court, the Regulator does not intend to make any further comment,” a statement read.
Yole will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court on March 11.
