Another death at factory where Rossendale workers killed in accident (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Another death at factory where Rossendale workers killed in accident

1:48pm Sunday 7th August 2011 in Crawshawbooth

A 62-year-old man has died in an industrial accident at a factory where two Rossendale workers died last December.

Police, fire and ambulance services were called to the Sonae chipboard plant in Kirkby, Merseyside, at around 10.50am yesterday.

Police said the man, from Manchester, had suffered serious injuries and died at the scene.

Inquiries had established he was an employee of subcontractor working on a designated, segregated area of the site, a Merseyside Police spokesman said.

His next of kin were informed and family liaison officers were providing assistance.

A joint investigation has been launched by Merseyside Police and the Health and Safety Executive.

The death follows an incident last December when Thomas Elmer, 27, and James Bibby, 25 died after they fell into a machine at the factory.

Mr Elmer and Mr Bibby, both from Waterfoot, were working for Haslingden-based Metso at the Sonae plant when they were dragged into a silo machine, while carrying out maintenance work on a steel chain conveyor.

A fire at the factory in June also caused extensive damage.