Safety Officials Probe Coleraine Dump Tragedy

There has been a tragedy on a Co Londonderry municipal dump today.

The victim, a man, was killed in an industrial accident at the council-owned site.

Coleraine PSNI attended the scene of the industrial accident at Gateside Road shortly before 12 noon today.

They found that the as yet-unnamed man had died after he was trapped behind a lorry at the Loughanhill Industrial Estate.

It is believed a skip was involved and that he may have suffered a crush injury before death and also that two fire crews were called to the scene - but took no action.

A police spokeswoman said: "A 39-year-old man died after he was trapped behind a lorry. The industrial estate in the area is now closed and will remain closed for the duration of Friday."

The victim worked for Coleraine Borough Council and was at the council's recycling plant.

It is believed that the victim was a father-of-two and was well-known in the local community.

Coleraine Borough Council has six recycling and disposal centre for residents use including the one involved in Coleraine.

The others are at Portrush, Portstewart, Castlerock, Garvagh and Kilrea.

Coleraine Borough Council's fleet of vehicles collects waste from over 24,000 homes and 1,500 business premises.

In a statement to BBC NI this afternoon, Coleraine Borough Council confirmed that one of its staff had been killed in what it called "a tragic incident".

"Council's heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time," the statement said.

(BMcC/GK)