The family of a company director who was killed by a reversing lorry is now taking legal action against his employer in order to secure their financial future.
Daniel Ames was crushed to death at the Rochdale premises of textile manufacturer The British Millerain Company in June 2023 while he was acting as a banksman to help a delivery vehicle reverse into a warehouse.
During the manoeuvre, the driver lost sight of Ames and when he got out of the cab to check he found him trapped between the vehicle and steel storage racks in the warehouse.
Ames died in hospital from his injuries.
Last month, the company was fined £220,000 following a Health and Safety Executive investigation that identified a number of failings exposing employees to various risks, including having no safe system in place for reversing HGVs.
And now, Express Solicitors has confirmed it is supporting Ames’ family with a view to seeking compensation.
Jon Andrews, Express partner, said: “This was a senseless and tragic accident that should never have happened and was entirely preventable.
“Workplaces need to make sure they look after their employees and protect them from harm at all times.
“We are now taking action against his former company on behalf of the family as Daniel was the main breadwinner and we will be helping to secure their financial future.”
In a statement, Ames’ family said: “He got on well with all his colleagues at work and had a great career.
“He was a respected professional who loved his job, was well known in the industry and was excited for his future. But that was taken away from us all in an instant.
“He was a real family man with a great sense of humour who was always making people smile and laugh and he enjoyed life to the full.
“We all miss him so much.”
