AN investigation has been launched after a contractor was crushed to death as he worked at a textile dyeing and finishing company.

Robert McPhearson, 45, was working on machinery at the Cloverbrook factory, in Gannow Lane, Burnley, when it fell on him.

Officers from the Health and Safety Executive were called in after the accident at the factory, in Peel Mill, where fabric knitted at Riverside Knitting in Lune Street, Padiham, is then dyed and finished.

Police believe Mr McPhearson, from Hyde, near Manchester, was working with a colleague when an item of heavy machinery fell on him and crushed him at about 10.30am on Saturday.

Mr McPhearson worked for Nottingham-based company, Eaton Engineering Ltd. He was taken to Burnley General Hospital by paramedics but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Sergeant Geff Simmons, from Burnley CID, said: "The man was crushed by a piece of machinery and died from his injuries. We believe he was installing some equipment at the time of the accident."

A police spokesman added: "The man was working on some heavy machinery with a colleague when the machinery fell on him causing crush injuries which proved fatal.

"The police were in attendance and the Health and Safety have been informed. There are no suspicious circumstances."

A spokesman from the Health and Safety executive said: "We are aware of the incident and it has been reported to us. We have been to investigate the site but as yet no further details are available. The investigation is still ongoing."

Nobody at Cloverbrook was available for comment today.