JCB Accident In Bristol

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding an accident last week in which a JCB digger driver fell 70ft to his death from a cliff in Bristol.

It is believed the driver, Michael Meehan, 53, from Filton, South Gloucestershire, had come round a bend at the bottom of a hill and swerved to avoid a stationary queue of traffic.

Witnesses said it appeared that the digger's brakes had failed in the rain and that Mr Meehan's actions may have been an attempt to save the lives of other motorists.

His family have paid tribute to him, saying he "was a good, decent, hardworking man who was loved and liked by all." Mr Meehan leaves behind a wife Jenny, daughters Kelly, Sammi, Rosie and young son Brendan.

No other vehicle was involved in the collision and police said it was "incredibly fortunate" that no one else had been injured.

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David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell commented: "The exact circumstances of this horrific industrial accident are still unknown.

"Employers have a duty to provide workers with safe plant and equipment. That equipment must be properly maintained. I deal with many cases where workers are injured or killed in work accidents."