Four factory workers were unable to save a colleague from being pinned to death beneath a meat van, an inquest in Castlebar heard yesterday.
Christopher Healy (58), of Donnellan Drive, Loughrea, Co Galway, became trapped under the rear of the van as he was making a delivery to the American Power Conversion (APC) plant in Castlebar, Co Mayo on August 19th last.
Evidence was given to an inquest in Castlebar yesterday that as Mr Healy was dragging two bags of meat from the rear of the van, the vehicle began to roll backwards down an incline.
APC staff Mr Michael Cresham, Mr Stephen Henry, Mr Alan Prendergast and Ms Susan Graham watched from the canteen as the "driverless" Transit van rolled backwards before rushing out to help him.
Mr Prendergast said he saw the driver "trying to roll over under the van". Ms Graham turned off the engine while Mr Prendergast knelt down beside the van and tried to talk to Mr Healy. The driver acknowledged him but could not speak.
Sergeant P.J. Gallagher, Inspector for Sligo and Leitrim, said he carried out tests at the scene with regard to the capability of the parking brake on the gradient.
He said it appeared the parking brake may not have been pulled up to the sufficient notch at the time of the accident.
Dr. Iqdam Tobbia, Consultant Pathologist at Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, said death was due to multiple injuries, including rupture of the heart consistent with a chest crush injury.
An inquest jury returned a verdict of accidental death in accordance with the medical evidence.