Driver crushed to death by own load

A delivery driver was crushed to death when his lorry load of construction materials fell on him at a Staffordshire water treatment plant.

The incident happened on 17 January at 8.30am at the Seedy Mill sewerage treatment works at Elmhurst, near Lichfield. Mark Worrallo, employed by Walsall-based distributor RMD Kwikform, suffered fatal injuries when he and two other workmen attempted to unload steel girders, shuttering and heavy timber from the lorry by crane.

Paramedics were called to the scene, and after carrying out emergency procedures, the 40-year-old was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham. He died about an hour later from severe head and chest injuries.

Principal contractor Purac subcontracted RMD to the job at the treatment plant, where an extension is being built to the existing works.

Peter Harvey, director of Purac, said Worrallo had been working with a crane driver and assistant to prepare the load for lifting off the truck when it fell.

The Health & Safety Executive is leading an investigation into the accident.