The deceased – Dennis Krauesslar, age 58 – is thought to have been emptying waste material into skips at the Pinchington Lane Recycling Centre in Newbury, on Monday evening (September, 10, 2007) at 7.30pm.
The operative is believed to have been operating a loading shovel at the time of the incident at the centre which closes at 8pm in September.
National newspapers have reported that Mr Krauesslar was “crushed by a mechanical digger”. He was taken to the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Thames Valley Police have said Mr Krauesslar's death is “unexplained” and that he was fatally injured at the site. They are presently carrying out a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive and the recycling centre is closed while this takes place.
Police said that a 59-year-old site worker was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving but has since been released and no charges have been brought. He will report back to Newbury police station on September 21.
Biffa operates the site on behalf of West Berkshire District Council and company spokesman Barry Walton said: “This is a tragic and deeply regrettable incident and our thoughts are with the friends and family of the deceased.”
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