M5 fireworks display organiser in court on manslaughter charges

A FIREWORKS display organiser has appeared in court charged with causing the horrific M5 crash which killed seven people in November, 2011.

Geoffrey Robert Counsell, 50, had been operating a pyrotechnic display held at Taunton Rugby Club, near the junction where a multi-vehicle pile-up happened on November 4.

Counsell, of Ashill, Somerset, appeared for the first time at Bristol Magistrates' Court this morning.

Dressed in a black shirt, tie and suit, he spoke only to confirm his name and address and no pleas to the seven counts of manslaughter were entered.

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Counsell is accused of causing the death of Bristol man Terry Brice, Anthony and Pamela Adams from South Wales, Kye Thomas from Cornwall, Malcolm Beacham from Somerset, Valerie and Michael Barton from Berkshire.

Counsell was given unconditional bail and will next appear before Bristol Crown Court on December 4.

It is alleged smoke blown from the display may have caused the 34-vehicle pile-up at about 8.30pm near junction 25.

As well as the seven fatalities, 51 people were injured in the crash.