Ad
Thursday, December 11, 2025

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

ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Categories

Latest news

Brogan Group and Alimak strike global partnership

Brogan Group has formed a new strategic alliance with Alimak Group’s Construction Division, bringing its CAS Common Tower and Atlas gantry systems to a...

CITB announces major funding cuts despite £79m reserves

The Construction Industry Training Board has slashed grants and capped funding from January, citing rising demand but drawing criticism over timing and available reserves. The...

Trapped load drags labourer from scaffold as firms fined £800k

A labourer suffered life-changing injuries after being pulled from scaffolding during an unplanned lifting operation on a London refurbishment project. Two companies have been...

ITP opens new Product Development and Testing Facility at Yorkshire HQ

Yorkshire-based manufacturer ITP Ltd has opened a new Product Development and Testing Facility at its Easingwold headquarters following a major strategic investment. Clive Dickin, Chief...

CISRS reforms face delay as new QAC Chair withdraws

CISRS has reopened its search for a new Chair of the Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) after the organisation confirmed that Professor David Wooff, appointed...

Connolly Scaffolding strengthens partnership with TRAD UK in £3.5m investment

Connolly Scaffolding Ltd has agreed a further £3.5 million investment in TRAD UK’s Plettac Metrix system, reinforcing a partnership that has shaped both businesses...

Benetics introduces AI voice tool to cut site paperwork

A German construction technology firm has launched an AI-powered voice assistant designed to help site teams cut paperwork and speed up reporting. Benetics, based in...

Scaffolders at Sullom Voe Terminal walk out over pay dispute

Around 60 scaffolders, painters, insulators, and supervisors at the Sullom Voe Terminal in the Shetland Islands have staged a 24-hour walkout in an escalating...

Hong Kong contractors ‘hid unsafe scaffolding netting’ as tower fire toll rises to 151

Investigators in Hong Kong say contractors used unsafe scaffolding netting at the housing estate destroyed by last week’s deadly fire, and then tried to...

Costs climb again on Manchester Town Hall project as delays worsen

The cost of restoring Manchester Town Hall has risen by a further £95m, with completion now pushed back to spring 2027. The Grade I-listed...

Latest news

ADVERTISEMENT

The magazine

Issue 27 | Past issues >>

Popular

Trapped load drags labourer from scaffold as firms fined £800k

A labourer suffered life-changing injuries after being pulled from...

Brogan Group and Alimak strike global partnership

Brogan Group has formed a new strategic alliance with...

ITP opens new Product Development and Testing Facility at Yorkshire HQ

Yorkshire-based manufacturer ITP Ltd has opened a new Product...

CISRS reforms face delay as new QAC Chair withdraws

CISRS has reopened its search for a new Chair...

CITB announces major funding cuts despite £79m reserves

The Construction Industry Training Board has slashed grants and...

Related articles

ADVERTISEMENTS

Latest topics

New Construction and Scaffolding Academy launched to tackle skills shortages in Northern Ireland

A new Construction and Scaffolding Academy has been launched...

Brogan Group and Alimak strike global partnership

Brogan Group has formed a new strategic alliance with...

CITB announces major funding cuts despite £79m reserves

The Construction Industry Training Board has slashed grants and...

Trapped load drags labourer from scaffold as firms fined £800k

A labourer suffered life-changing injuries after being pulled from...
ADVERTISEMENTS