Jaguar Land Rover worker almost died after being pulled into machinery

Colin Downes, aged 57, suffered horrific injuries after he was mangled by vehicle body lifting equipment while painting cars at the motoring giant's plant in Solihull.

The maintenance electrician punctured both lungs, broke 10 ribs, sternum, two bones in his spine and two bones in his right hand while he worked the night shift on June 14 last year.

His injuries, which included blood clots on his heart and kidneys, were so severe doctors placed him in a chemically induced coma for 12 days.

Yesterday the company admitted contravening section 33 1C of the Health and Safety Act 1974 when it appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court.

The court heard Mr Downes, from Birmingham, was sitting in front of a conveyor belt when he was hit by a dolly and dragged along the production line.

Jaguar Land Rover admitted a guard on the machine was not fitted which would have prevented Mr Downes being snagged by the machine.

Prosecutor Simon Belfield said: "Colin Downes suffered life-threatening injuries.

"He was struck by an empty dolly. The aperture in front of the machinery was unguarded for some time. Jaguar Land Rover had failed to provide adequate guards for the aperture.

"It is possible he may have had his head through the aperture to look and see the systems in place and the dolly was then engaged and took Downes down through that aperture.

"He was working on what is called a Saxon lift.

"Even 13 or 14 months on, he still suffers back injuries and difficulty to sit or stand for a prolonged time.

"He used to run a football team but no longer does because he cannot stand for a long time and finds difficulty in bending down and picking stuff up, such as kits or footballs.

"He was unable to go swimming on his recent holiday with his partner and three-year-old daughter, which caused him a great deal of aggravation.

"It is a testament that he is back at work."

He added that a warning klaxon was not working at the plant and some employees did not know a yellow strip on the aperture meant it was a hazardous area at the time and had restricted access.

But Mark Balysz, defending, said: "The company sincerely regrets the incident that happened to Mr Downes.

"Mr Downes and his family have been fully supportive.

"The company are global leaders. This company has a good and healthy relationship with the HSE executive. That relationship has been praised by the Government.

"It is the company's case that in fact it had a responsible system of health and safety in place in this area.

"You would have to be extremely close to the dolly in order for it to hit you.

"The company accept it was unguarded but the company is adamant it should be sentenced on the facts.

"It is rejected that the warning klaxon was not working at the time of the accident. It cannot

be turned off and was working.

"The evidence is that Colin Downes had a look through the aperture. When he looked through the aperture, Mr Downes may not have been aware of the danger.

"The company cannot understand why he was looking through the aperture. No-one but Colin Downes has acted in this way before by looking through the aperture out to the dollies.

"There was no guarding in place so we have pleaded guilty.

"The punishment is that they are here in their local court. The punishment is that this will be reported.

"They very much hope that they never have to appear in front of you again."

Sentencing will take place at Birmingham Crown Court on November 21.