Colleagues left distraught as man dies after incident with ‘scissor’ machine
AN airport worker in his 70s was reportedly crushed to death by a 20-tonne high loading machine last week.
The man was working a shift for cargo firm Dnata on the evening of February 23 when he was crushed by the ‘scissor’ machine.
The incident at Heathrow Terminal 3 has left colleagues distraught.
A police investigation is ongoing to establish what happened.
Dnata has said it is cooperating with an investigation and with the Health and Safety Executive, The Mirror reported.
Staff watched the horrifying incident unfold after the man, who was below a scissor machine that lifts heavy cargo onto planes, was crushed.
A colleague accidentally lowered it onto his head, reported The Daily Star.
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “We can confirm that following a tragic accident on our airfield, an airport colleague has passed away.
“Our deepest condolences go to the family and friends affected by this accident. We will be fully cooperating with the authorities as they investigate this incident.”
A spokesperson for Dnata said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that a Dnata colleague passed away whilst on duty at London Heathrow Airport.
“Dnata expresses its deepest condolences to our colleague’s family and is providing all possible support to them at this difficult time.
“We are fully cooperating with the authorities in their investigations into the incident.”
The Met Police said: “Police were called at 8.41pm on Wednesday February 23, after receiving a report of man injured at work at Heathrow Airport.
“Officers and medics from London Ambulance Service attended. A man in his 70s was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The man’s family has been informed.
“The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and are carrying out a joint investigation alongside the Met’s Aviation Policing Command.”
Dnata is one of the world’s largest air services providers, providing ground handling, cargo, travel, and flight catering services.