A grieving mother shared the tragic loss of her young son in a devastating explosion at a residential building. The incident, which occurred in Benwell, Newcastle in October 2024, claimed the life of seven-year-old Archie York. The explosion was caused by an illegal cannabis factory operating in the building, resulting in the death of another individual, Jason Laws. Reece Galbraith received a 14-year prison sentence for his role in the explosion.
The explosion was triggered by a build-up of butane used in the production of drug-infused sweets by both Galbraith and Laws. Katherine Errington, Archie’s mother, narrated her harrowing experience of being trapped in the rubble after the blast, alongside her young son Finley. Despite efforts to rescue Archie, he did not survive the tragedy.
In an effort to prevent future incidents, Katherine and her partner Robbie York have supported a campaign by Newcastle city council aimed at raising awareness about identifying cannabis “shatter” factories. Katherine emphasized Archie’s kind-hearted nature and expressed her desire to help others in his memory. The couple highlighted the importance of educating the public on the risks associated with illegal drug production.
Describing the traumatic aftermath of the explosion, Katherine recalled the chaos and fear she experienced while waiting to hear about Archie’s fate. The couple had to endure the heartbreaking task of identifying their son through dental records, photographs, and his clothing. Robbie expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of their son and his anger towards those responsible for the tragedy.
Newcastle City Council’s leader, Coun Karen Kilgour, commended the bravery of Katherine and Robbie in sharing their story to raise awareness about the dangers of drug production. She emphasized the vital role of community vigilance in preventing such tragedies in the future. The council aims to spread awareness about the devastating consequences of illegal drug activities and the importance of staying vigilant to protect lives and communities.