The 69-year-old woman, who has not been named, was confirmed dead at the scene by West Midlands Ambulance Service shortly after 9.15am.
A spokeswoman for the Ambulance Service confirmed no one else was injured in the incident, but that paramedics had assessed ‘several bystanders’ who were suffering from the effects of shock.
West Mercia Police today confirmed that the driver of the vehicle – who works for local waste management firm Smiths Gloucester Ltd – had been released on bail following his arrest at the scene.
Originally specialising in construction, Smiths also offers waste services in Gloucestershire and the surrounding area, including commercial and industrial waste treatment, skip hire and waste haulage services.
‘Reliable’
The driver was described by Alan Smith, sole proprietor of Smiths, as ‘reliable and conscientious’, and someone who had worked for the firm for three to four years.
Mr Smith said: “As far as we can tell, it is one of those extremely tragic accidents. He wasn’t travelling at speed, it was just a case of wrong place at the wrong time.
“He had been working for us for three to four years and is a really reliable and conscientious driver. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman involved.”
Speaking to letsrecycle.com, a police spokeswoman said: “West Mercia Police confirmed the driver of the vehicle involved in the collision was arrested at the scene on suspicion of death by dangerous driving, as is often the procedure following fatal road traffic collisions.”
She added: “The driver has been released on police bail and specialist officers are investigation the exact circumstances prior to the collision and continue to appeal for witnesses.”
HSE
In July this year, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) reported that the number of fatal injuries to members of the public that were associated with the waste and recycling industry had fallen from four in 2012/13 to one incident in 2013/14 (see letsrecycle.com story).
When contacted by letsrecycle.com, HSE confirmed it had not been notified of the incident in Worcester.
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