Fatal Scaffold Loading Incident

ADVERTISEMENT

 

Investigations are continuing after a lorry driver died after being run over by his own trailer outside Reading railway station.

The scene after the truck was removed.

The 69-year-old was on the service road behind the Apex Plaza building, just before midnight last Sunday, when the accident happened.

Police believe the man, from Redhill, Surrey, was coupling his tractor unit to a trailer.

An inspector from the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) is looking into the incident as the driver was working for a Network Rail contractor on a site which gives access to railway land.

The man was an employee of Croydon-based Tone Scaffolding, a sub-contractor for Costain which is working for Network Rail on the £850 million redevelopment of Reading station and the surrounding rail network.

Sergeant Jim Upton, of the road death investigation team at Three Mile Cross, said: “Our investigation is at an early stage and we have yet to establish the full circumstances.

“However, we believe the lorry rolled forward while the driver was coupling the trailer to the tractor unit and that he was struck by his lorry as he attempted to get back into the cab.

“The driver was taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital, but sadly died.”

Julian Burnell, communications manager for Network Rail, said construction workers and British Transport Police alerted emergency services.

He said: “As Thames Valley Police have designated the incident as a road traffic accident we have no direct jurisdiction, but we are co-operating with the relevant agencies.”

Mr Burnell added: “One individual was fatally injured in the incident and we would express our sincere sympathy to his relatives.”

A spokesperson for ORR said an inspector was working with the police, Network Rail and contractors to ascertain the causes of the incident.

Sarah Welsby, from Tone Scaffolding, said on Monday: “Our sympathies are with the family, who we have been out to see today.”

Via: getreading.co.uk & vertikal.net

Most popular ↑

HAKI expands fall protection offer with Combisafe deal

HAKI Safety has signed an agreement to acquire selected...

Former 3B Training director joins NASC training team

NASC has appointed Rob Boardman as its new Head...

Nearly 80% of scaffold sites fail safety checks in German state

Authorities in the German state of Hesse have launched...

ScaffChamp 2026 gets underway in Vilnius

After Friday’s team draw and structure briefing, competitors are...

Live Blog: ScaffChamp 2026 opens today in Vilnius

ScaffChamp 2026 opens today in Vilnius, with the team...

Latest news

ADVERTISEMENT
More from
Latest articles

ScaffChamp future under review after successful Vilnius event

The future location of ScaffChamp is unclear after key figures behind the international scaffolding...

Stepup expands OCTO access in Denmark through SST deal

Stepup Octo ApS has announced a new partnership with Danish scaffolding specialist SST ApS...

Nearly 80% of scaffold sites fail safety checks in German state

Authorities in the German state of Hesse have launched a week-long scaffold safety inspection...

RNDV crowned ScaffChamp champions again in Vilnius

RNDV has been crowned ScaffChamp 2026 champion after winning the international scaffolding competition for...

ScaffChamp 2026 gets underway in Vilnius

After Friday’s team draw and structure briefing, competitors are now putting planning into practice...

Live Blog: ScaffChamp 2026 opens today in Vilnius

ScaffChamp 2026 opens today in Vilnius, with the team draw and the reveal of...

HAKI expands fall protection offer with Combisafe deal

HAKI Safety has signed an agreement to acquire selected operations of Combisafe, the fall...

Former 3B Training director joins NASC training team

NASC has appointed Rob Boardman as its new Head of Training and Education. He will...