Darenth Valley Golf Course has been ordered to pay more than £12,000 after an employee was seriously injured in a golf buggy accident.

The accident involved employee Jayne Denereaz, who was attempting to retrieve a broken down golf buggy from the course on December 11 last year when it overturned.

Mrs Denereaz was working in the golf shop when she was informed the buggy was at the 15th tee.

She travelled to the broken down buggy and attached the tow rope. She was steering the rear buggy and her colleague was driving the front one.

When they reached the 10th tee they were travelling across a slight slope when the rear buggy started to drift to the left. Mrs Denereaz felt that the buggy was going to overturn and attempted to jump clear.

She was caught under the buggy’s body and put up her hand to stop the roof of the buggy from hitting her head.

As a result of the accident Mrs Denereaz suffered severe swelling and bruising, a suspected broken hand and a pulmonary contusion to the lung. The accident also likely aggravated a pre-existing ear condition.

It was reported to Sevenoaks District Council which carried out an investigation.

The council found these buggies had been purchased by the course along with user manuals. The manuals clearly warned users not to tow the vehicle with ropes, chains or any device other than factory-approved tow bars.

It was found that no safe system was in place for the retrieval of broken down buggies and the course did not own the approved tow bar.

At Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court yesterday (October 14) the golf course pleaded guilty to a section 2(1) offence of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

It was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay the council's costs of £2,000 plus £120 to help victim support services.

Coun Michele Lowe, the council’s cabinet member for environmental health, said: "It's difficult to believe that in this day and age that the golf club had no safe system or risk assessments in place to retrieve a broken-down buggy.

"Mrs Denereaz sustained serious injuries but it could have been worse.

"The fine from the court demonstrates the severity of this case. Employers have responsibility to ensure that suitable risk assessments are undertaken for any work that puts their staff at risk."