A delivery driver died after being accidentally crushed on his lorry in a Corby street. Stephen Dungate became trapped in a grabber on a crane on the back of his lorry.
The 38-year-old, of Snatch Hill Close, Corby, who worked for Jackson Building Centres, a Corby firm, was delivering landscaping materials to a home in Cecil Drive on the Exeter estate in June last year.
A jury at an inquest found he had unintentionally activated the crane via a remote control fastened to his body while he stood on the back of the lorry.
He had been trying to attach the grab to the loops of a bag of ballast.
Nearby workmen were alerted by a resident but, although they managed to release Mr Dungate, he died at the scene from the effects of a crush injury to his pelvis.
Leslie Nairn, who was working further along Cecil Drive and who rushed to help, said he saw Mr Dungate trapped in a standing position.
He added: “He was opening and closing his hands and saying ‘Open it, open it’.
“He was finding it difficult to speak as he was being so tightly squeezed.â€
Ian Simpson, from the Health and Safety Executive, told the jury he had not found any faults with the crane.
In a statement, Mr Dungate’s mother Brenda said: “He was well thought-of by friends and work colleagues.
“We are all still trying to come to terms with what happened to Stephen. He will be sadly missed.â€
Lyndon Johnson, from Mr Dungate’s employer Jackson Buildbase, said the firm takes the health and safety of colleagues and customers very seriously.
He added: “Our thoughts and very sincere condolences continue to be with Stephen’s family.â€
