Tragedy-hit factory ‘is set to close’ following Waterfoot deaths (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Tragedy-hit factory ‘is set to close’ following Waterfoot deaths

2:19pm Tuesday 31st July 2012 in Rossendale

A MERSEYSIDE factory where two men from Waterfoot died in an industrial accident looks set to close.

Bosses at Sonae, in Kirkby, have started consultation on shutting the factory down after 12 years in the town.

In December 2010 Thomas Elmer, 27, and James Bibby, 25, died when they were dragged by a conveyor belt into a huge silo machine.

Both men had been working for Haslingden-based sub-contractors Metso at the wood processing factory when the accident happened.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive into the circumstances of their deaths remains active.

In a statement, Sonae said: “The decision to commence consultation is as a result of the long delays to the reconstruction of the factory due to political and planning difficulties.

“This has resulted in reduced and unsustainable capacity levels which, in the challenging economic climate, have made it necessary to consider future options in relation to the plant.”

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