Tragedy of worker hit by crane

A steel worker from the Black Country died after being trapped under three tons of metal, a court heard today.

Ross Beddow, from Netherton, Dudley, was killed instantly when a crane knocked him and the steel from a trailer.

Corus, of Bridgnorth Road, Wombourne, admitted breaching health and safety rules during a hearing at Stafford Crown Court.

Mr Beddow, aged 22, of Cradley Road, was employed as a sub-contractor by A Hingley Transport Ltd, of Brierley Hill, and worked at the plant loading metal on to the company's vans.

He had been at the firm for four months when the accident happened in Janurary 2007, the court heard.

During the morning shift, Mr Beddow had been helping to load steel plates onto a trailer ready to be transported off the site.

Bernard Thorogod, prosecuting on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive, said Mr Beddow had been standing on the trailer when the accident happened.

Mr Thorogod said the trailer was stuck by a loading crane knocking Mr Beddow to the ground. He died instantly, the court was told.

Corus admitted failing to ensure that persons not in their employment were not exposed to risk to their health and safety.

The hearing continues.