A 53-YEAR-OLD wagon driver died after being hit by a fork lift truck at a town centre depot.

Keith Perry, a heavy goods vehicle driver, was struck as his wagon was unloaded at Shirley's waste paper processors in Canterbury Street, Blackburn, shortly after 3pm yesterday.

Mr Perry, who lived in Blackburn with his brother during the week and with his common law wife in St Annes, Fylde, at weekends, died hours after the accident, in which he suffered severe pelvic and internal injuries.

Today, managing director Mark Ibbotson said Mr Perry had worked for Shirley's for more than five years and his colleagues were still in shock.

He added: "What can I say? Keith was a super bloke and everyone here is in shock. I don't think any of us got any sleep last night. We can not come to terms with what happened here yesterday."

Mr Ibbotson, who employs nine people, said he was not sure exactly what happened.

"Basically Keith was in collision with the fork lift truck but I did not see how. The first thing I knew was when I heard a shout.

"All the staff are visibly shocked. We are a small team here and lots of the staff are long-serving and knew each other well. "We cannot believe it because when he did not appear too badly injured.

Mr Perry was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary, but died two and a half hours later. Police said the Health and Safety Executive and the coroner had been informed of the death.

Mr Ibbotson went on: "Health and Safety officers have been to investigate, but this was simply a tragic accident. The fork lift truck is brand-new and no one is at fault.

"We are a very safety-conscious company and have even warned our staff about next week's eclipse.

"It just goes to show you can do everything possible and these things will still happen.

"It is a tragic accident and our thoughts are with his family today."

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