A WORKER HAS died after being crushed in an accident at a Shropshire factory.

Keith Ivison, of Belle Vue, Shrewsbury, was rushed to hospital after the accident at the Stadco factory in Harlescott on Monday night.

Mr Ivison, who had worked at the plant for eight years, died shortly afterwards at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

The company said the entire workforce had been left devastated by the tragedy. Mr Ivison’s family was too upset to talk about the incident today.

The Health and Safety Executive said it was aware of the incident and had already launched an investigation.

Dermot Sterne, managing director at Stadco, today said the tool operator’s death had left everybody shocked.

He said: “It’s absolutely tragic . We feel we are a family here at Stadco and it’s knocked us all back. Clearly everybody is shocked and all of our thoughts are with his family at this time.

Early

“The whole focus at the minute here at Stadco is on two things really, to support the family as best we can, and through the investigations to focus on what exactly happened and any lessons that can be learned to ensure our workplaces are as safe as they can be.”

Mr Sterne said it was too early to state what had caused the worker’s death.

He added: “The HSE investigation has already started and, of course, we are not only carrying out our own investigation but we are supporting the HSE fully in their efforts.”

Richard Ewels, spoke- sman for West Mercia Police, today said that an inquest was due to open on 57-year-old Mr Ivison early next week.

“The HSE is conducting an investigation assisted by the police. The coroner for Mid and North Shropshire John Ellery has been informed.”

John Hawker, spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said they were called to the factory at 9.30pm on Monday.

He said: “We were called to a man with reported crush injuries. A Rapid Response Vehicle was on scene within three minutes and an ambulance also attended.

“The man was treated for serious injuries and taken to the RSH.”

By Russell Roberts