Verdant employee Craig Reaney was working as a loader for the Kent-based company under its contract to collect kerbside recyclable materials for Cannock Chase district council when the incident occurred.
This is a tragic incident and I know that Craig's colleagues at Verdant and Cannock Chase council's refuse collection team are devastated at what has happened
Stephen Brown, chief executive, Cannock Chase district council
The collision took place at about 2.45pm on February 26, at the junction of Oaktree Road and Waterside in Rugeley, and, while the emergency services were called to the scene, they were unable to save Mr Reaney's life.
A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “Crews arrived to find a man who had been injured following a collision with a lorry. The man suffered serious multiple injuries in the crash and crews immediately commenced emergency treatment.
“Unfortunately despite the best efforts of ambulance crews, nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene,” he added.
Following the incident, Verdant, Cannock Chase district council and South Staffordshire council agreed to suspend recycling collections on the following day in a mark of respect for Mr Reaney, and Cannock Chase's refuse collection staff offered to help Verdant's workers catch-up with collections.
Sympathies
Both Cannock Chase district council and Verdant offered their sympathies to Mr Reaney's family and colleagues, and confirmed that they were co-operating with the police and HSE investigation into the incident.
Stephen Brown, the council's chief executive, said: “We would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the family of Craig Reaney, who was a popular member of his team.
“This is a tragic incident and I know that Craig's colleagues at Verdant and Cannock Chase council's refuse collection team are devastated at what has happened. We are working closely with the police and the Health and Safety Executive,” he added.
Verdant's managing director, Roger Edwards, said: “This awful event is devastating news for all Verdant staff, especially Craig's colleagues at Cannock Chase. But it's devastating news for his family, and our collective thoughts and prayers are with them.
“As you would expect, Verdant is co-operating fully with the investigation being made by local police and the Health and Safety Executive, and is unable to comment further at this stage,” she added.
Verdant also offered support to the next of kin and said it had made counselling services available to affected members of staff.
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