Calls for action after lorry driver dies in tragic rollaway incident

A coroner has called for action to be taken to prevent any more tragedies following the death of a man who was crushed between two trailers at a haulage firm in Widnes.

David Lyth, 45, became trapped between the two trailers in a rollaway incident that happened while he was working at the 3D Trans Ltd yard in Widnes. He had been employed at the firm on the Shell Green Industrial Estate through a driving agency and was trying to couple up a trailer to his cab when the terrifying incident took place in November 2021.

Mr Lyth was unresponsive when he was found. He was taken to hospital where his death was confirmed.

An inquest held by the assistant coroner for Cheshire, Charlotte Keighley concluded that Mr Lyth died from asphyxia. Now Ms Keighley is calling for action to be taken to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

She has written a prevention of future deaths report which has been sent to 3D Trans Ltd along with the Health and Safety Executive. In the report, Ms Keighley sets out her concerns regarding the provision of regular and periodic training for all drivers in respect of coupling and uncoupling procedures.

Ms Keighley warned that the incident which resulted in the death of Mr Lyth in November 2021 was one of four rollaway incidents to have occurred at 3D Trans Ltd since June 2020. Mr Lyth had been working for 3D Trans Ltd on November 30, 2021 when the fatal rollaway incident took place.

The coroner said that on that day Mr Lyth had complained of an issue with the air cables on his trailer. The inquest into his death heard he had been advised to collect a new trailer from the 3D Trans Limited yard but then as he coupled up to a new trailer, the trailer started to roll back.

Mr Lyth put his arms out to try to stop the trailer from rolling back but became trapped between the two HGV trailers. He was unresponsive when he was found and he was taken to Whiston Hospital where his death was confirmed.

Ms Keighley said that evidence presented to the inquest on June 27, 2023 meant the rollaway incident could only have occurred from neither the unit brake nor the trailer brake being applied.

In the prevention of future deaths report, Ms Keighley states there have been four rollaway incidents involving drivers working for 3D Trans Ltd since 2020. The latest rollaway incident took place in June this year. The other three rollaway incidents were non-fatal.

She said the other three incidents included one which caused damage to a fence between the September 17, 2020 and October 9, 2020, an incident on November 15, 2022 and an incident on June 12, 2023.

In her report, Ms Keighley states she believes there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken. She wants to see regular and periodic training provided for all drivers in relation to coupling and uncoupling procedures.

She said: "I acknowledge that these incidents involve different circumstances and that only one resulted in a fatality."

Ms Keighley added: "I received evidence that following each of the incidents, refresher training was provided and various measures were put in place at the yard to physically prevent the vehicles or trailers rolling away. In addition to this, signage has been placed on the tractor and trailer units to serve as a reminder to drivers of the importance of securing the parking brakes on the tractor and trailer units.

"I have concerns regarding the provision of regular and periodic training for all drivers in respect of coupling and uncoupling procedures."

In the report, which has been sent to 3D Trans Ltd and the Health and Safety Executive, Ms Keighley also states: "In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you (and/or your organisation) have the power to take such action."

Both 3D Trans Ltd and the Health and Safety Executive have until September 1, 2023 to respond to the coroner's report.

Addressing both organisations in her report, Ms Keighley states: "Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed."

A spokesperson for 3D Trans Ltd said: "3D Trans Ltd is committed to ensuring the safety of its employees and contractors and remains deeply saddened by the events of 30 November 2021. The company took repeated steps over the years to implement measures to prevent rollaway incidents, including providing all of its drivers with comprehensive training on the safe process for coupling and uncoupling trailers, highlighting the importance of applying both the handbrake and trailer brake.

"This training was designed to supplement the mandatory training completed by all drivers during their industry training. After hearing all of the evidence, the jury concluded that Mr Lyth had sadly not applied either his vehicle handbrake, or confirmed the application of the trailer brake, and as such returned an accidental death conclusion.

"The company has now strengthened its training scheme in response to the Coroner’s Report to ensure that refreshers are regularly provided to all drivers, confirming the safe standards of work expected."

CheshireLive has approached the Health and Safety Executive for comment.

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