An inquest this month has heard how a Northern Ireland factory worker was crushed to death after being trapped in an industrial food mixer. Andrew Philip Johnston from County Armagh, died from crush asphyxia and multiple injuries after the giant machine started suddenly when he fell into it on 4 July 2006.
The inquest stated how Mr Johnston had been a maintenance technician at Avondale Foods in Lurgan for ten years and had been carrying out checks on the machine when he became trapped in the metal trough. He suffered serious internal injuries and had to be cut free, and despite resuscitation efforts by paramedics, Mr Johnston died at the scene.
Witnesses described how Mr Johnston had been leaning across the mixer as he attempted the repairs. The interlock safety switch which prevents the machine from moving while the lid is open had been disconnected.
Nancy Henry from the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSE NI) who carried out an investigation into the accident, said turning the safety switch off meant that the machine would have registered that the lid was closed and would have allowed the rotors to move. She commented, "At no point could the machine be made to spuriously start of its own accord. You had to press the button. It was possible Mr Johnston pressed the button that started the movement of the panels."
No prosecutions were brought in relation to the incident, in what was described by coroner Suzanne Anderson as a "Tragic accident."
