A tyre firm worker has been killed after a tyre he was repairing exploded.
The man, dad-of-one Gary Jackson, 46, from Preston, was working alone at Red Scar Tyres, when a tipper wagon belonging to one of the firm´s contractors was brought in for a tyre repair.
The driver said one of the tyres was damaged and needed changing, and Mr Jackson started working on it in one of the company´s buildings.
He repaired what he believed was the damage, before the tyre was lifted to test the repair.
But the tyre then exploded, causing a large tear in it, and the air hit Mr Jackson and blew him across the building.
The wagon driver, who was stood nearby, tried to help him and paramedics were called.
But despite attempts to resuscitate him, Mr Jackson was pronounced dead at the Royal Preston Hospital.
Police, council representatives and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) were all at the firm´s base, on the Red Scar Industrial Estate, Longridge Road, Ribbleton, in the aftermnath of the accident.
Det Sgt John Crichton, of Preston CID, said: “All we will be doing is reporting the death to the coroner. We are satisfied there is no criminal element.”
Det Insp Dave McKenna, also from Preston CID, said police would continue to work with the Health and Safety Executive.
The HSE returned to the site the next day when experts were expected to examine the tyre.
An HSE worker at the site confirmed they are fully investigating the incident.
Red Scar Tyres employs around six people, but all except Mr Jackson were believed to be off the premises when the accident happened.
Plus Safety Comment: Sometimes accidents just do happen! I was a firm believer that all accidents could be avoided but this one has challenged that belief.
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