The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched an investigation into the death of a refuse collector working for Urbaser at a school in Kent on 25 November.
The worker, who has not yet been named, was completing his morning collections at the Benenden School on behalf of Tunbridge Wells borough council. He was hit by a refuse collection vehicle in the school’s grounds and died at the scene. No-one else hurt in the incident.
Benenden School is an independent boarding school for girls in Kent (picture: Benenden School)
It has been reported locally that the worker became trapped between his lorry and a wall.
The HSE confirmed to letsrecycle.com today (2 December) it was leading an investigation into the incident with the support of the police.
A spokesperson for Kent Police said: “Kent Police was called 8.20am on Wednesday 25 November 2020, to the grounds of a school off Mounts Hill, Benenden. It is reported that a refuse collection vehicle had collided with a refuse worker, employed by the local authority. Officers and ambulance crews attended and the man was declared deceased at the scene.”
Fatal injuries
Paul Taylor, director of change and communities at Tunbridge Wells borough council, said: “On Wednesday 25 November we learnt of an incident involving a member of our waste contractor’s staff during a collection on the Benenden School site. Emergency services were in attendance but sadly our colleague suffered fatal injuries.
“Our thoughts and sympathies go out to his family, friends and workmates. We are providing support to those affected by this tragic incident. The HSE was notified and the council will of course assist both HSE and police with their investigations.”
Serious accident
Javier Peiro, managing director of Urbaser, said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that on 25 November 2020, one of our crew members in Tunbridge Wells was killed in a tragic accident involving a refuse collection vehicle. Our thoughts are with the crew member’s family and friends at this difficult time. Nobody else was harmed during the incident and we have commenced a full investigation.”
A Benenden School spokesman said: “We can confirm that there was a serious accident on the morning of Wednesday 25 November involving a refuse collection vehicle which, tragically, resulted in the death of a refuse worker working for a contractor on behalf of the council. Nobody else was injured in this incident and no pupils or staff were involved.
“Several members of school staff were immediately on the scene and did everything they could to help the man before the emergency services arrived.
“The thoughts of all of us here at Benenden are with the family of this man after this terrible incident.”
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
