Royal Mail investigates deaths of two postmen during heatwave

THE Royal Mail has launched an investigation following the deaths of two postmen who collapsed during last month’s heatwave amid a surge in Amazon deliveries.

Mark Cremer, 55, and 59-year-old Phil Bentham are understood to have died on their rounds on Aug 12 and 13 respectively, as temperatures in the UK soared beyond 34C (93F).

According to a leaked letter from the Communication Workers Union (CWU), Mr Cremer was found collapsed during his round in Lancing, West Sussex, while Mr Bentham died after cycling home from work in Barrow-in-furness, Cumbria.

Postal workers have expressed their concerns about working conditions in extreme heat, and there have been claims that depot water fountains had been turned off, and that bottled water has “rarely” been provided during the pandemic.

Luke Elgar, a 28-year-old postman from Southend-on-sea, Essex, said: “You could see it happening because we’re trudging around during long hours in that heat, and with global warming, it’ll become more common.”

Union bosses say that staff shortages and a 50 per cent increase in parcel deliveries throughout lockdown has “obviously piled the pressure” on postmen and women.

Dave Joyce, CWU national health and safety officer, said that the Royal

Mail had consented to union requests for bottled water to be provided to all outdoor workers, and a campaign on the importance of staying hydrated.

He said: “The loss of the two postmen is a huge blow to postal workers across the country. We fully understand the grief and anxiety amongst Phil and Mark’s work colleagues in their respective delivery offices where emotions are naturally running high.

Royal Mail does deliver Amazon parcels amongst those for many other various companies, online marketplaces and auction sites. Staff shortages, one person per van, a 50 per cent increase in parcels, and the recent record-breaking heatwave obviously piled the pressure on postmen and women, made worse by the fact that water fountains had been shut off due to the risk of virus transmission.”

Royal Mail chiefs have now agreed to a joint internal investigation with the CWU to determine whether or not there were any deficiencies in its risk assessments. A spokesman said: “We were deeply saddened to learn of the deaths of both our colleagues who will be greatly missed. We are waiting for the results of our own internal investigations and any medical findings before commenting further in order to avoid unhelpful speculation.”

The Daily Telegraph has contacted Amazon for comment. The US company recently announced it was planning to increase its UK workforce by a third in response to rising demand during lockdown.

‘Staff shortages, one person per van, an increase in parcels and the heatwave piled pressure on postmen’