Inquiry to Examine Death of Seven-Year-Old in Surrey Floods
An inquiry is set to investigate the death of seven-year-old Zane Gbangbola, who died during severe flooding in Chertsey, Surrey, in 2014.
The government announced a non-statutory inquiry following persistent campaigning by Zane's family. The boy died after the River Thames flooded his home.
Zane's parents have challenged the findings of a 2016 inquest, which concluded that he died from carbon monoxide poisoning. They argue that their son was killed by gas released from a former landfill site, washed out during the floods.
The inquiry, announced by Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds, will review the circumstances surrounding Zane's death and assess how public services coordinated their response during the incident.
Additionally, the inquiry will evaluate the treatment of Zane's family in the aftermath, according to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Zane's parents previously delivered a message to Downing Street on what would have been his 18th birthday, calling for an independent inquiry.
"We have campaigned tirelessly for truth since Zane's death and welcome the keeping of Sir Keir's promise of justice for seven-year-old Zane," his parents said.
"We will never win. Zane will never win. He has been taken from us. But today we pray that this is a step closer to exposing the lies that dishonour our precious son, securing the truth and preventing further deaths."
A non-statutory inquiry does not possess the authority to compel witnesses to provide evidence.
The announcement follows meetings between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Defra ministers, and Zane's family to hear their concerns.
The prime minister stated:
"When I met Zane's family, I was deeply moved by their strength, dignity and determination after more than a decade of unimaginable grief.
No family should feel that their questions have gone unanswered or that they are in a battle with the very services that should be there to support them.
This inquiry will ensure their concerns are properly examined, provide an understanding of what happened, and identify the changes needed to prevent others facing the same experience."
Dr Sandie Okoro OBE has been appointed to chair the inquiry. She will operate independently from the government and will have access to subject matter and technical experts throughout the process.
Dr Okoro said:
"I intend to engage with Zane's family and other key stakeholders on the draft terms of reference in the coming weeks, with a view to commencing a rigorous and fair inquiry into the circumstances of Zane's death this autumn."
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds added:
"The non-statutory inquiry we're setting up will investigate what happened and ensure lessons are learnt from this tragedy."
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Related Internet Links
- Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
