Former trainer under investigation after paddling pool accident at Newmarket pub

Trainer-turned-landlord Ken Clutterbuck is at the centre of an investigation by West Suffolk Council environment health officers after a racegoer suffered serious head injuries in an accident in a temporary paddling pool at his pub in Newmarket during July festival week.

According to onlookers, the unnamed man launched himself into the pool, which was barely two feet deep and ten feet wide and was said to have a 'no diving' safety notice attached. It was sited on tarmac at the front of The Shoes pub.

Former trainer Clutterbuck is landlord of the town centre hostelry but insists he is still waiting to hear details of the investigation and what, if any, sanctions he may face because of it.

Ken Clutterbuck: landlord at The Shoes bar and a former trainer

Mark Beaumont, spokesman for West Suffolk Council, said: "Our environmental health officers are investigating an accident at The Shoes pub in Newmarket, connected with the Health and Safety at Work act, which took place on July 8 at 6.30pm."

After the accident, an ambulance was called and the man was taken to hospital, where he remains.

Clutterbuck said: "I was working inside at the time of the accident and I don't know who the fellow was. The brewery knew the pool was there. It was a kids' paddling pool really. You couldn't swim in it as it was only a few foot deep and ten foot wide."

As regards the pool safety, he added: "I did everything I could have done. There were signs up saying we take no responsibility for accidents in the pool. I had a risk assessment done and on the pool itself it said 'no diving'.

"The environment health officers came to see me and said it wasn't illegal for me to put a pool at the front, but that's all I know and nobody has got back to me yet. I've since taken the pool away."

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