Dumper-truck drowning declared accidental death

A verdict of accidental death has been reached on a case involving a worker who drowned when a dumper-truck fell into a river, trapping him underwater.

Steven Hughes, 38, of Scampton, Lincs, was working on an Environment Agency project to strengthen flood walls on the River Witham, Lincoln, last September, when the vehicle toppled over.

A passing colleague noticed the truck was submerged in the river but was unable to rescue Hughes because the vehicle had completely overturned and trapped him.

Even firefighters took 40 minutes to extricate him once they had arrived at the scene.

Attempts to resuscitate him at Lincoln County Hospital failed.

The jury, which took an hour to return a verdict of accidental death, made a number of safety recommendations.

They said dumper trucks with cabs should be used for such work and workers should not be allowed to operate alone next to water.

They also called on the Health & Safety Executive to urge the Environment Agency to carry out daily checks on its vehicles.