Warrington South MP Sarah Hall has marked the 52nd anniversary of the Summerland leisure complex fire on the Isle of Man, which claimed 50 lives – including two men from Warrington, Alan Barker and Sean Kelly – and left many more injured.
The tragedy, which occurred on 2 August 1973, remains one of the worst peacetime disasters in the British Isles. A public inquiry in 1974 criticised delays in evacuation and the use of highly flammable building materials but ultimately ruled the deaths as ‘death by misadventure’. Families and survivors have campaigned for decades to have that verdict overturned, arguing it unfairly implied the victims bore responsibility for their own deaths.
Ms Hall has been working closely with Justice for Summerland, a campaign group of survivors and bereaved families seeking to overturn the ruling, secure accountability, and ensure the 50 lives lost are remembered without blame. In January, she hosted a meeting in Parliament to give survivors a platform to speak directly with MPs and raise awareness of their cause.
In May, the Manx Government rejected a request for a fresh inquest into the disaster. An appeal has since been lodged to challenge that decision.
Earlier this month, the Justice for Summerland campaign formally challenged the Manx Government’s legal adviser over the decision to refuse a new inquest. Chair of the campaign group, Jackie Hallam, also met with leading Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall, who has now added her voice to the growing calls for a fresh inquest.
Sarah Hall, Member of Parliament for Warrington South, said: “Fifty lives were lost in the Summerland fire and countless more were changed forever. My thoughts go to the families, survivors, and friends who still carry the weight of that day.
“I want to pay tribute to the tireless work of the Justice for Summerland group. Their courage in seeking truth, remembrance, and accountability keeps every name visible.
“I was disappointed to see the Manx Government reject the call for a fresh inquest. The ‘death by misadventure’ ruling places blame on the victims, by implying they risked their lives simply by visiting the Summerland entertainment complex.
“I hope the Manx Government will reconsider their stance and give these families the closure they have sought for more than half a century.”
