Coventry fatality in first week of new reporting year

The scene where the 11-year-old died on Tuesday morning. Photograph: Coventry Evening Telegraph

The vehicle, operated by Coventry city council's in-house service, was in collision with the girl in the Stoke area of Coventry at 7.45 am on Tuesday morning.

A statement from the police said: “The incident happened in Coleridge Road at Longfellow Rd when an 11-year-old girl was in collision with a refuse disposal truck. The girl, who is from Coventry, received injuries to her upper body. A post mortem will take place in due course.

“It is believed from inquiries so far that two women were at the scene of the collision. Investigating officers would like them to contact them as they may have vital information to help with the inquiry. Anyone with information should contact the road policing unit at Fletchamstead on 0845 113 5000.”

A Coventry city council statement said: “We have launched our own investigation and will be cooperating fully with the police as they carry out their investigations. We would like to offer our sincerest sympathies to the family of the child at this tragic time.”

While few details of the accident have emerged, it is understood that the vehicle was reversing at the time of the accident.

Significant
The fatality is significant in that in the first week of the new reporting year, based on April 2006 – March 2007, it means there is already one fatality involve waste and recycling vehicles.

The sector is being heavily targeted by the Health and Safety Executive with some evidence that standards are improving. However, fatalities involving the sector, primarily vehicles, are thought in 2005/06 to have reached 19 whereas an annual figure for earlier years is around the 13 mark.

The Executive is to publish new guidance on vehicle safety soon and the topic will feature in a special outdoor seminar on vehicle safety issues on May 31 at the Stoneleigh letsrecycle.com/Live event.