HSE May Press Charges On Car Parts Company

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) may press charges against a car parts company for an accident in which a man was crushed to death.

An inquest jury at Chester-le-Street Magistrates' Court heard that Paul Clark, a 52-year-old father of two from Newton Aycliffe, was killed when he became trapped in an industrial press at the ThyssenKrupp Tallent factory in the town.

While the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, they were told that the HSE was still considering whether any charges should be brought against the company, which makes car suspensions and chassis.

A spokesman for the firm said: "Paul was a valued, long-serving employee and we will continue to provide whatever support we can to his family, friends and colleagues.

"The HSE investigation into the circumstances of Mr Clark's death is ongoing."

ThyssenKrupp employs around 800 people in the town.

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David Urpeth at law firm Irwin Mitchell said: "This was an awful fatal accident. To prevent injury and death in a work accident, workplace legislation provides for protection from dangerous parts of machines. All too often I have to help workers pursue their compensation claim following injuries sustained in an accident at work."