Police and ambulance crews were called to Thurrock council’s St Clements depot in Grays at 7.45am, following a collision between a commercial heavy goods vehicle and a waste collection vehicle – which was exiting the premises.
Two other council employees were taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries following the crash. The refuse collection operative, who was in his 30s, died at the scene.
Essex Police closed the A1090 Oliver Close road outside the depot while forensic examinations took place. The road has since reopened.
A 40-year-old man from Grays was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving yesterday and has since been released on bail until May 20 this year.
Following the incident, a spokesperson for Thurrock council said it would be cooperating fully with the emergency services in their investigations, and would carry out its own inquiry into the ‘horrific event’.
Condolences
Leader of Thurrock Council, councillor John Kent, expressed his condolences during a visit to the council depot yesterday.
He said: “At this sad time our thoughts and prayers remain with the family and friends of the man who died and the two who were injured.
“We are also concerned for the welfare of all staff and have arranged for counsellors to be available at the depot for any workers who may feel the need to discuss what happened with them.”
In a statement, Essex Police said: “We were called to Oliver Close on Wednesday February 18, 2015 to reports that a refuse collection vehicle and a heavy goods vehicle had been involved in a collision at around 7.45am.
“A man in his 30s, the passenger in the refuse collection vehicle, was treated by ambulance crews but sadly died at the scene.
“A 40-year-old man from Grays has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries until May 20, 2015.”
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