Fatal Accident At Work

A refuse collector has been crushed to death in the back of a bin lorry in Gloucestershire.

He died in the Cotswolds town of Fairford at around 10am on Thursday morning.

The 52-year-old man, who has not been named, lived in Malmesbury, Wiltshire.

A statement from his employers Sita UK, a private firm, said: "At this difficult time our thoughts are obviously with his family and work colleagues.

"All those involved in the incident have been offered counselling.

"Sita UK takes its health and safety obligations very seriously.

"The events leading up to today's incident are now a matter for investigation by ourselves, the police and the Health and Safety Executive."

Gloucestershire Police and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating the death.

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David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: “This is a horrific fatal accident at work, the circumstances of which will clearly be the subject of a detailed investigation.

“Whilst the circumstances are obviously unknown, something obviously went tragically wrong.

“Sadly, I spend a reasonable proportion of my time helping families pursue a compensation claim following a fatal work accident. Such accidents are a tragedy not only to the person killed but for their family and friends.”