Widow to sue Shrewsbury firm over fatal accident

The family of a man who died after being crushed between two heavy pieces of machinery is planning to make a civil claim for compensation against the firm in Shrewsbury he worked for, it was revealed today.

Keith Ivison, 57, from Belle Vue, died in August 2010 after the incident at car parts factory Stadco in Harlescott Lane.

A verdict of accidental death was returned by a jury at an inquest in Wem yesterday.

His family today said their main concern was to make sure such an accident was never repeated.

Mr Ivison's widow Christine said his death had a 'huge impact' on the family.

"We want to know that this will never happen to anyone else. We do not want another family to endure the loss we have," she said.

Richard Cartwright, from Thompsons Solicitors, which represented the family at the hearing, added: "Mr Ivison was a dedicated family man.

"He had no reason to suspect on that fateful morning he would not be returning home to them.

"We will be working now to investigate pursuing a civil claim for compensation against Stadco."

Mick Tuff, a spokesman from Unite, the union of which Mr Ivison was a member, said: "We are providing Mr Ivison's family our utmost support during this difficult time.

"We will be working with our lawyers to further investigate this accident to ensure that this never happens to anyone again."

Mr Ivison was a well-known local figure in Shrewsbury and one of the founding members of the Shropshire Shufflers running club, which he helped to set up in 1981.

Chartered engineer Andrew Crouch, who was assigned to examine the scene after the incident, said his inspection had found there was no indication that either the machinery or the controller was faulty.

He said one of the pieces of machinery may have been at an angle and moved suddenly to trap Mr Ivison.