Bucks Council apologise after criticism over decision to allow filming near site of fatal collision

Alex Thornton, who helped emergency services following the crash that killed Lexi Jennifer Catlin, said he believed the filming involved a car crash scene and branded the decision a “disgusting lapse of taste and lack of decency”.

The council said the permit did not authorise filming a crash at that location.

He said screeching tyres drew him out of his home on Sunday night, fearing another collision had happened on the A355 Amersham Road in Beaconsfield.

Instead, he discovered a film crew working on the road where the teenager had died. Floral tributes to Lexi were still nearby, he said.

Mr Thornton questioned how the filming could have been allowed.

He said: “How on earth can the council allow this? Quite apart from the inconvenience in shutting a major road, the callous disrespect shown is simply unacceptable.

“To film a car crash at the scene of an actual fatal accident that destroyed a family and emotionally devastated an entire year group?”

Lexi, from Downley, was travelling as a passenger on a motorcycle involved in a collision on the A355 on March 13. She died at the scene, eight days before her 16th birthday.

Her family described her as “kind, caring, funny, and outgoing”, with a smile that “lit up every room”.

Mr Thornton said the road was closed for seven hours for filming by a production company called Mouthful of Petrol Ltd.

He said the location manager told him permission had been granted by Buckinghamshire’s Film Office, and that the office had recommended the site.

According to Mr Thornton, the location manager said the crew became aware of the fatal crash after arriving and seeing the floral tributes.

But filming went ahead anyway.

He also challenged claims that residents had received letters warning them about the filming.

“I can confirm that no letter was delivered to my address on Amersham Road,” he added.

He said neighbours in a residents’ WhatsApp group also reported receiving no letters warning of the filming, and that he could hear repeated screeching tyres late into the night.

Mr Thornton said the roundabout was covered in “the black marks of burnt rubber” the following morning.

In an apology sent directly to Mr Thornton, Film Office manager Ruth Bryant confirmed that filming by A Mouthful of Petrol Ltd had been authorised for October 11, with a road closure between 5pm and 11.59pm.

She said: “I am very sorry that the fatal collision was not identified as part of the assessment process for this application.”

Ms Bryant said the tragedy was an important consideration that should not have been omitted and apologised for the oversight.

She also confirmed the production had been required to notify affected residents and businesses in advance.

“It is clear that some residents, including you, were missed, and we are very sorry that this happened,” she said.

Buckinghamshire Council has now apologised and pledged to review its procedures after the blunder.

Peter Brazier, cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: “We have apologised directly to the resident and are sorry for the distress caused.

“We are reviewing our processes to strengthen our approach to identifying sensitive local issues and ensuring appropriate consideration and engagement where activity may have a particular impact on residents and communities.”

Mr Thornton said the Film Office had separately acknowledged that permission should not have been given.

He has accepted its apology.

“I accept their apology and explanation, and am satisfied that any distress was unintentional,” he said.

A Mouthful of Petrol Ltd was contacted for comment but had not provided a statement at the time of publication.

Categories:

Authorities: