News / Unst forklift death trial gets under way
THE TRIAL of a family haulage firm charged with breaching health and safety regulations following the death of a lorry driver got underway at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Monday.
Geoffrey Davies, of Scraefield, Unst, was crushed by a forklift truck as he unloaded it from a lorry at a mussel factory near Baltasound, on Saturday 13 February 2010.
Hauliers RS Henderson, of Cullivoe, Yell, deny failing to make a suitable risk assessment prior to the delivery.
They also deny failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees between 9 and 13 February 2010.
On the first day of the trial, members of the jury heard how 57-year old Davies had driven to Unst Shellfish Ltd’s factory on a cold and frosty Saturday morning.
He was accompanied in an RS Henderson lorry by his son. No one else was present when they arrived at the factory.
Davies drove the forklift down lorry ramps which were “too steep and slippery” to maintain traction.
The forklift toppled over and crushed him, causing fatal injuries.
His son had attempted to lift the forklift off his father but it was too heavy.
He went to seek help and flagged down a passing car driven by wildlife photographer Robert Brookes.
Giving evidence, Brookes told the court: “I could see he was pretty distraught. He said ‘quick, quick, my dad’s had an accident – can you help?’
“We pulled in at the gateway [of the factory] and I could see the forklift on its side. I knew there was nothing I could do.”
Brookes then called the emergency services, and police constable Gary Ross was on the scene within a few minutes.
A medical doctor arrived shortly afterwards and confirmed that Davies was dead.
Constable Ross said it appeared from photos that one of the forklift’s wheels had skidded before toppling off the side of the lorry’s ramp.
The court also heard from David Niven, a director of Unst Shellfish, who had asked RS Henderson to collect the forklift from Lerwick-based firm RE Watt and deliver it to the factory.
Asked by procurator fiscal Gavin Callahan whether he had given any instructions to RS Henderson about how to load and unload the forklift, Niven replied: “He’s the haulier. It’s not for me to tell him how to do his job.”
The trial continues on Tuesday.
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