The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Hampshire police are both attempting to determine how the man believed to be Barry Collins, 24, of Millbrook, Southampton, was killed.
National newspapers have reported that the victim and his brother had dropped off a white VW van to James Huntley and Sons Scrap Metal and Merchants, in Southampton, last Thursday around 11am.
It is believed Mr Collins went back to the van to pick up some possessions after the dismantling process had begun and the van wheels had been taken off. He was still inside the van when the crane pincers picked it up.
Firefighters and an air ambulance were called to the scrap metal yard which is situated on an industrial estate in Sholing, Southampton but paramedics pronounced Mr Collins dead at the scene.
Investigations
The HSE and Hampshire Constabulary are both investigating. Police are gathering evidence on behalf of the Coroner's Court so that information can be supplied to the inquest. They say it is not a criminal investigation and no arrests have been made, or are expected to be made.
Police have confirmed that “the man, who was visiting the site, was killed in an accident involved a crane. A HSE spokeswoman added that Mr Collins had died after being crushed but that they were still trying to find out how it had happened.
A post-mortem examination carried out at Southampton General Hospital revealed Mr Collins died of head and shoulder injuries
Subscribe for free