Jean Eastwood, 66, was killed in Rishton, Lancashire, following the accident involving a Hyndburn Borough Council vehicle, around 12.45pm on Monday (May 14, 2007).
It is believed the lorry struck the victim when she stepped into its path as it was reversing. She died from internal injuries at the scene of the accident in Harwood Road.
Investigation
Police are investigating and Sergeant Peter Sculpher, the area's road policing unit's investigating officer, told local newspaper the Lancashire Telegraph, “it appeared that the council vehicle had its reverse lights and warning siren on at the time of the accident.”
No-one has been arrested and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is not investigating because the incident is presently considered a road traffic collision.
The vehicle was owned by Hyndburn council and council leader Councillor Peter Britcliffe said: “This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts are with the family at this time. The police will obviously conduct a full investigation into the circumstances and we are not in a position to comment further until this investigation is complete.”
Fatalities
Mrs Eastwood's death is not the first involving a waste collection truck this year. The HSE is still investigating the death of a woman who was killed by a reversing dustcart in March.
Anne Smith, 61, died following the accident in Brighton which involved a truck belonging to private waste contractor Team Waste Southern. (see letsrecycle.com story
And Thames Valley police are still investigating the death of Oxford University student Tsz Fok, 22, who died in April, as he was cycling in central Oxford. (see letsrecycle.com story)
The truck owned by Manvik Hire Ltd, was being operated by Severnside, and the 30-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
He was released without charge and bailed until June 23. A date has not been set for an inquest into Mr Fok's death.
Register for free to comment