Investigation launched after abattoir death

An investigation has been launched after a man was reportedly crushed to death at an abattoir in Wiltshire.

The worker was found dead when emergency services arrived at F Drury and Sons abattoir in Tockenham, near Wootton Bassett, on Thursday (18 August).

It is believed he was cleaning a piece of equipment used for pulling the hides from carcasses when he may have accidentally hit a switch which set the machine in motion.

Wiltshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive have launched an investigation into the accident.

A police spokeswoman said: “Police were contacted by Ambulance control to reports of a man having been injured at the abattoir near Wootton Bassett.

“On attendance, a 49-year-old man was found dead. The Health and Safety Executive have been informed and enquires to establish the circumstances surrounding the man’s death are ongoing.”

At about 5.20pm police were contacted by the ambulance service after reports that a man had been injured.

A spokeswoman for Great Western Ambulance Service said paramedics were called to the abattoir at about 5.20pm but the man was dead when they arrived.

“There was unfortunately nothing we could do for him,” she said.

Abattoir representatives said they could not comment on the death as a police investigation was under way.