Inquest opens into death of 26-year-old at Mounstorrel Quarry

AN INQUEST has opened into the death of a worker who died while working at Mountsorrel Quarry.

The worker was identified as Luke Branston at the opening of an inquest into his death at Loughborough Coroner’s Court last Thursday, June 29.

Mr Branston, 26, of Fosse Way, Ratcliffe on the Wreake, was not employed directly by the quarry on Wednesday, June 21, when the incident happened.

He was working as a contractor involved in maintenance, plant fitting and fabrication.

No precise details of what happened to Mr Branston were revealed by Trevor Kirk, senior coroner for Leicestershire and Rutland.

However, he said the fire service and police, along with the ambulance service, were called to the quarry.

He said that sadly Mr Branston died at the scene.

He was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary where he was later identified by his brother, Kevin, of the same address.

Mr Kirk said he was awaiting the results of a post mortem examination.

He said the police and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) were investigating the circumstances surrounding Mr Branston’s death which happened while he was working.

The inquest was adjourned until September 7 this year. There was no family at the inquest. The Mountsorrel site, which is operated by Tarmac, is Europe’s biggest granite quarry.

A spokesman for Tarmac has previously said: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm a contractor, working at Mountsorrel Quarry, lost his life.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the man’s family, friends and colleagues.

“We are all shocked and saddened by this news and will continue to do all we can to help the authorities with their investigations, and to provide care and support for the team on site.

“As this investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this stage.”