Home / Disasters and Accidents / Worker crushed by truck, loses freedom
Worker crushed by truck, loses freedom
3 Nov
Summary
- Worker suffers life-changing injuries after being hit by a reversing truck.
- Company fined £28,000 for safety failings, including poor traffic management.
- Injured worker now uses walking aids and wheelchair, impacting daily life.
A worker at Cotswold Vehicle Recovery sustained life-changing injuries when crushed by a reversing truck on 13 June 2025. The incident resulted in multiple fractures and a punctured lung, leaving the employee reliant on walking aids and a wheelchair.
Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive, Cotswold Vehicle Recovery pleaded guilty to health and safety violations. The company was fined £28,000 for failing to implement a suitable traffic management system and adequate precautions for reversing vehicles.
Health and Safety Executive inspector Laura Artosi emphasized that nearly 25% of fatal workplace transport accidents involve reversing vehicles. She stated that the company's failings robbed Simon Pedder of his freedom, with lasting consequences.
Cotswold Vehicle Recovery has since implemented safety improvements, including enhanced pedestrian segregation, and expressed remorse for the incident. They are confident that reoccurrences can be prevented.
