Police are investigating a serious industrial accident at a Golcar textile mill.
Emergency services were called to I.F.G. Drake, also known as Drake Extrusion Ltd, at Victoria Mills in Victoria Lane, overnight.
A worker on the night shift was dragged into a machine and crushed.
Emergency services were called but the man, 51, died at the scene.
Police were called and the mill, one of Europe’s leading independent manufacturers of coloured polypropylene fibres and yarns, was shut down.
The mill, believed to employ around 50 staff, was expected to remain closed all day today.
The firm, which dates back more than a century, is a major sponsor of the Huddersfield Cricket League.
A spokesman for the firm said: “There was an incident and it is being looked at. We cannot operate today and we are being fully co-operative with all the authorities.”
The Health and Safety Executive has also been informed and a spokesman said: “The HSE has been made aware of an incident that took place in the Golcar area of Huddersfield overnight.
“We are assisting West Yorkshire Police as part of a joint inquiry.”
Key Events
Summary of events
- A 51-year-old man has died at Victoria Mills in Golcar following an industrial incident.
- Police were called to the scene at around 2am today.
- It is understood the man was killed after he was dragged into a machine and crushed.
- HSE investigators are at the scene today.
- The factory has been closed today and workers have been told to go home.
- Colleagues, friends and family have been leaving tributes to the deceased on social media.
You can see the full story here.
WATCH: Investigation teams at the scene
Here is our footage from the scene this afternoon, where police are carrying out their investigations alongside health and safety officials.
Scene remains quiet as investigation carried out
Reporter Stephanie Finnegan has been at the scene today and says it’s currently very quiet at the scene.
There was a CSI van, two health and safety officers. The mill is closed to workers today as enquiries are carried out.
We will shortly have some video from the scene.
Friends and locals express tributes and sympathies
Tributes and sympathies have already been expressed for the man who sadly died last night.
Begsy Bellamy replied to our story to say: “Such a terrible thing to happen. One of my mates such a great guy. Shouldnt [sic] happen to anyone at work. Thoughts to your family.”
Danny Pinhead Roberts said: “Rip mate, one of the best guys I have ever met”, while Rumaila Shoaib said: “Soo upsetting and shocking definitely should have not happened in this day and age. Wonder what safety features the factory had? Condolences to his family xx”.
The story we have so far
What we know so far:
- A 51-year-old man has died at Victoria Mills in Golcar following an industrial incident
- Police were called to the scene in the early hours
- It is understood the man was killed after being seriously injured by a piece of machinery, and was pronounced dead at the scene
- Investigators are at the scene this morning
You can see the full story we have so far here.
CSI arrive at the scene
Our reporter Stephanie has been at the scene this morning, where investigators have now arrived.
Mill to remain closed all day
Staff at the mill have understandably been left shocked at what happened.
The Examiner understands that the firm operates an eight-person shift rota.When they turned up for work this morning employees were told there had been a fatality. Workers were sent home and the firm will remain closed all day.
Confirmation from police a man has died
We now have a full statement from police confirming a man has died overnight.
A spokesperson said:
Police were called to reports of a work-related death at Victoria Mills, in Golcar on Friday morning (24/3)
Emergency services including fire and ambulance attended at a premises on Victoria Lane at around 2:10am. A 51-year-old man suffered serious injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Coroner have been notified. Police will be investigating along with the Health and Safety Executive - enquiries are ongoing.
Emergency services were called to the factory at 2am
Police confirmed that the man who died is 51 and they were called as well as the fire service and ambulance service at 2am today
No emergency services at the scene
Our reporter Stephanie Finnegan is at the scene but said there is no longer any sign of the emergency services
Police confirm injured man has died
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police has now confirmed that the worker died in the incident.
Crushed man believed to be a dad
Another worker called and said the man involved in the incident was a married father-of-two.
Workers turned away from the factory this morning
One worker contacted us this morning to say that they had been turned away and the factory would be closed today.
He said that he had been told it was a serious incident.