An investigation has been launched after a 52-year-old refuse collector died following a collision with a collection vehicle in Gloucestershire.

The incindent took place in Fairford near Cirencester on February 18

The SITA UK employee, who has not been named, was involved in an incident with a refuse lorry at 9.55am yesterday (February 18) while carrying out collections for the waste management firm in Aldsworth Close in Fairford, near Cirencester.

The 52-year-old man from Malmesbury was pronounced dead at the scene. His family and the coroner have been informed.

Gloucestershire Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have now launched an investigation into the man's death.

A spokeswoman for SITA UK said: "At this difficult time our thoughts are obviously with his family and work colleagues. All those involved in the incident have been offered counselling."

"SITA takes its health and safety obligations very seriously. The events leading up to the incident are now a matter for investigation by ourselves, the Police and the Health and Safety Executive."

The spokeswoman added that until the investigation has been concluded, the firm would be unable to comment further.

The incident marks the third high profile story involving a worker fatality to come to light in just over a week, with waste management firms Veolia (see letsrecycle.com story) and Biffa (see letsrecycle.com story) both appearing in court following work-related deaths.