Hull dad-of-four left with two broken legs after being crushed by brick …

A dad-of-four from Hull was left with two broken legs after a lorry reversed into a brick wall, destroying it and crushing him under the rubble.

The incident, which happened at Hawthorn Timber on Haller Street in January, has left Peter Hall unable to work and struggling to support a family of six on only £100 a week. As an agency worker, Peter was deployed to Hawthorn Timber as a labourer back in January when the terrifying ordeal unfolded.

He says that while he was standing on the street outside the timber yard, a lorry reversed into the wall, completely destroying it, damaging nearby cars and crushing Peter's legs beneath the bricks. Had claims that had he not been pulled partially out of the way by a co-worker at the last moment, he would have been killed.

The 31 year-old, who lives on Orchard Park, sustained two fractured heels, two broken ankles, as well as breaking the fibulas and tibias in both legs. Not knowing if he will ever fully recover from his injuries, Peter believes that inadequate health and safety measures on site were to blame for the incident, and he hopes to receive compensation for what he's been through.

Speaking to Hull Live, Peter said: "While on shift, I went to the street to have a cigarette because you are not allowed to smoke in a timber yard. Next thing I know, a lorry rams into the wall I'm stood against and knocks it down, trapping me under it.

Peter broke a total of eight bones in his legs

"First thing that went through my head was, will I ever see my kids again? I had to drag myself out of the rubble as nobody had tried to get to me.

"I asked for all of my family to come and see me after it happened as I didn't know if I'd ever get the chance again. I was in hospital for five days with both legs broken in multiple places.

"I haven't been able to work since and I've been trying to support my family on only £100 a week in sick pay as an agency worker. We've really been struggling at the moment and it's been hard for all of us.

Peter also sustained serious cuts and bruises

"I've got constant aches and a limp now and I don't know if I'll ever fully recover.

"I believe that if there had been a barrier along that wall, the lorry never would have crashed into it and I wouldn't have been crushed."

For all of the pain that Peter has gone through, he is thankful that the accident was not more serious than it already is. He finished by saying: "If my mate hadn't pulled me away at the last second, I probably would have died. That's how serious this is."

Vehicles were also badly damaged in the accident

In a statement, Humberside Police said: "We were called at around 3.20pm on Thursday 26 January to reports that a lorry had collided with a wall at Hawthorn Timber on Haller Street in Hull."

A spokesperson for Hawthorn Timber said: "There was an accident on that date, which is being dealt with by our insurers. No further comment will be made."

A Health and Safety Executive spokesperson said: "We are aware of this incident and making enquiries."

References

1. ^{^} Hull man jailed for making guns with 3D printer in 'first prosecution of its kind' (www.hulldailymail.co.uk)