'I lost my soulmate' - Widow of Edinburgh worker who died in Redcar explosion speaks out

John Mackay died in an explosion at the former SSI site in Redcar on 19 September

John Mackay, who died while working at the former SSI plant in Redcar (Cleveland Police/PA)

The moment Ann Mackay was told of the death of her husband John was earth-shattering.

Edinburgh man John, just 49, had been working as an access platform worker at the former SSI site in Redcar, near Middlesbrough, when an explosion killed him and his colleague.

Speaking to the Evening News for the first time, John’s widow, Ann, 53, has spoken of her anger with the way her husband’s employer, Nationwide Platforms, handled his death.

She said: “When I got the phone call from Nationwide, I thought initially it was about a mortgage because of the house.

“They didn’t say that John was dead or anything and then they phoned us back and I asked if John was dead.

“When they said yes I just collapsed and threw the phone down and had to collect my thoughts.”

Ann said she was initially told she would be entitled to two and half times John’s annual salary including forced overtime, but this was later changed to his basic salary, a significant five figure discrepancy.

Then, to compound the pain, she received a letter in the post addressed to John about health and safety at the company.

Ann was also subject to insensitive comments from Nationwide staff when they offered money to help pay for the funeral, with one employee saying they would provide a donation ‘as long as you are not organising a full pipe band’.

For Ann, it showed a lack of care from the company.

She said: “I have lost my soulmate. We were only married two and a half years. Everyone would tell you how in love we were, and there were 450 people at his funeral, he really left an impact on the community and it was a great testament to John.

“I am strong, private person but some days I can’t think straight. My family are very protective of me so I have to be strong in front of them.

“Unless you have been through it you don’t know what it is like.”

Nearly six months on, Ann is only now moving into the house in Broxburn she had bought with John just days before he died.

She said: “When it first happened we had six days to wait before buying our first house together and then that all fell through.

“But I managed to get the sale through through the life insurance so I am now moving in to the house in two weeks time.”

However, despite problems with money, Ann is more worried about others who may find themselves in the same situation in the future.

Nationwide Platforms have not changed their death in service policy since the 1990s, something Ann believes must change.

She said: “I am not blaming them for John’s death, that is being investigated. It could have been prevented, that I definitely know and more will come out in the future.

“But this is about employees not realising what is happening. I don’t think that people look at things like that and i think that big corporations should have something for being killed in service.

“I think that needs to change for future employees.”

A spokesman for Nationwide Platforms said: “John Mackay’s death on 19 September 2019 at the former SSI steelworks site in Redcar came as a shock to everyone at Nationwide Platforms: he was a much-loved employee.

“We are aware that the family have unanswered questions and are seeking resolution and closure to this tragedy – we share their frustration andunderstand the pain this is causing all concerned.

“However, we are unable to comment, respond or discuss the matter as it is subject to a police investigation and we would not want to contribute to any misunderstandings being made in public forums.

“The safety of our workforce and customers is of paramount importance and we take our responsibilities as an employer extremely seriously. John Mackay is the first employee Nationwide Platforms has lost while carrying out their duties and it is our duty to continue to assist the authorities with their enquiries.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police, who are investigating the death of Mr Mackay, said: “A joint police and Health and Safety Executive investigation is ongoing.”