Manslaughter charge after M5 death crash tragedy

A firework display that went horribly wrong has now led to a man being charged with seven counts of manslaughter.

Geoffrey Counsell, 50, has been charged in relation to a collision on the M5 in November 2011 that killed seven people, including the father and sister of Windsor woman Emma Barton, whose boyfriend Chris Burbull was driving the car they were all travelling in.

Michael and Maggie Barton are among the seven people who died named in the charge.

Emma was in a coma for several days after the 34-car smash but made an amazing recovery. She and Chris married this summer and now live in Westmead, Windsor.

Mr Counsell, of Somerset, provided the firework display taking place at nearby Taunton Rugby Club on the night of the crash.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "The charges are due to his alleged failings in the planning and operation of the display."