A recovery operator in Swindon has been fined £28,000 after one of its employees was struck by a reversing truck and crushed under its wheels.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Cotswold Vehicle Recovery (Swindon) failed to implement suitable traffic management plans to make sure vehicles and pedestrians could circulate safely and had not provided proper precautions to assist reversing drivers.
Simon Pedder suffered fractures to both legs and an arm, a punctured lung and a fractured rib following the incident in June 2025. The HSE said he was undertaking yard duties at the operator’s Highworth site when he was hit by the company-owned recovery truck.
He was airlifted to hospital in Oxford where he spent five weeks and underwent several operations to rebuild his legs, including skin grafts.
The extent of his injuries means that in addition to using crutches, a Zimmer frame and wheelchair, Pedder now also needs regular care visits and cannot carry out basic tasks like getting into the shower without help.
He has been told he will most likely need walking aids for the rest of his life.
“I used to be a very sociable person, the life of the party, both in work and with friends; this has been taken away from me as now I spend my days sitting at home by myself,” Pedder said.
“My mood is very low, and this is affecting not only myself but also my family, who say my personality appears to have changed completely.”
Cotswold Vehicle Recovery (Swindon), based on the Blackworth Industrial Estate in Highworth near Swindon, pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on 29 October. As well as the fine it was also ordered to pay £7,276 in costs.
HSE Inspector Laura Artosi said: “Almost 25% of fatal workplace transport accidents in Great Britain occur while a vehicle is reversing – a stark reminder to employers to properly assess and manage this fundamental risk.
“Cotswold Vehicle Recovery (Swindon) lacked a suitable traffic management system, including adequate arrangements to ensure vehicles could reverse without risks to those on foot. These failings led to an incident that has robbed Simon Pedder of much of his freedom and will likely have a lasting impact on his life.”
