Five Workers Fired From HS2 Project After Air Rifle Incident
A whistleblower's report of dangerous behavior, including firing an air rifle, led to sackings and a police investigation.
Five workers have been dismissed from the
HS2 rail project following allegations of dangerous and unethical behavior, including firing a powerful air rifle inside a workshop. The incidents came to light after a whistleblower provided video footage and a dossier of concerns to authorities.
The footage, captured by fitter's mate Aminadab Enos de Souza Dias, showed mechanics at HS2's construction site in West Ruislip, London, firing an air rifle at targets during night shifts. Mr. Dias also submitted evidence of colleagues sleeping on the job and alleged he faced verbal abuse and intimidation.
Mr. Dias, originally from Brazil, reported the air rifle, believed to be a .22 calibre Stoeger X20 S2, was kept at the site for over two months in the spring of 2025. He contacted HS2 and its contractor SCS in May 2025, and when dissatisfied with the response, he alerted then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in October.
His complaint was escalated to Lord Hendy, the Rail Minister, who expressed shock and raised the matter with HS2 chief executive Mark Wild. In a letter to Mr. Dias, Lord Hendy stated that one worker had been dismissed, and four other individuals involved had been permanently removed from HS2 work.
Keith Mewes, the dismissed mechanic who owned the air rifle, told The Mail on Sunday he brought it to the site to repair it during breaks, admitting it was inappropriate and expressing regret.
British Transport Police initiated an investigation but closed it after confirming the air rifle was no longer on site. HS2 acknowledged the incident as unacceptable and isolated, stating that action was taken to dismiss those involved and to enhance health and safety processes.
Changes have been made to the leadership of contractor SCS, and searches for prohibited items have been increased. The HS2 project, which has faced significant cost overruns and delays, has seen its projected costs escalate from £37.5 billion in 2009 to potentially over £100 billion, with services now not expected to reach central London until 2040.
In a separate incident at the same site in 2024, an explosion occurred while workers were repairing a leaking cement pipe. Four workers were hospitalized, though HS2 reported no major injuries. The company stated that corrective actions were taken to address issues and improve safety following this event as well.
