Coventry bin collections stopped for day as police investigate after binman dies on Guild Road...

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An investigation has been launched into the incident on Guild Road in Foleshill



Bin collections in Coventry have been halted for the day after a senior crew member died while making his rounds. The tragic incident happened on Guild Road in Foleshill this morning, Coventry Live understands - and now police are investigating.

Collections today will not continue and an investigation into the matter has been launched by the Health and Safety Executive. All bin workers have been sent home. Coventry city council said in a statement on social media: "Earlier today one of our senior bin crew tragically lost their life while undertaking their duties.

"This will impact on collections across the city as we deal with this incident. We are co-operating fully with the Police and the Health and Safety Executive and supporting all staff. We will provide you with an update on the service when we can."

West Midlands Police are now investigating. The force issued a statement this afternoon as they sent out condolences to family and friends.

A spokesperson said: "We were called to Guild Road, Foleshill, at just before 10.10am today (19 January). A man - who was working as a refuse collector - was sadly confirmed dead at the scene.

"Enquiries to establish exactly what happened are ongoing and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man at this deeply distressing time."

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Coventry bin collections suspended after worker dies

Bin collections in Coventry have been suspended until Tuesday after a refuse worker died on shift.

He was collecting bins on Guild Road, Foleshill, on Thursday morning when paramedics were called to an incident said to involve a bin lorry.

Coventry City Council confirmed on Thursday it was co-operating with police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The authority said the break in service was to support collection crews.

It added any uncollected waste this week was expected to be picked up at normal times next week.

"Following the tragic events of yesterday and so we can take some time to support all of our crew members, there will be no bin collections today," the council posted across social media on Friday morning.

Five temporary drop-off points accepting household waste, recycling and small electrical items are due to open this weekend.

Residents signed up to a bin collection reminder service have been emailed about the changes.

The worker was found in a critical condition by paramedics but nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene, the ambulance service said.

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The stench of uncollected refuse is so bad I can smell it inside the house and there's no bin within ten yards of where I live!

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Bin worker's lorry crush death 'foreseeable'



A council refuse collector was crushed to death in a "foreseeable" accident on a residential round in Coventry, an inquest has concluded.

David Carpenter's coat became entangled in the lifting equipment on 19 January 2023 before he was dropped in the back of the bin lorry as an automatic compaction cycle started.

In delivering their narrative verdict, jurors said evidence showed the vehicle could have been safer.

The manufacturer Dennis Eagle Ltd said it respected the jury's conclusion and had released an upgrade to improve safety.

The jury concluded sensors were activated after the 60-year-old leaned over the working machinery.

"Evidence shows that additional mechanical and safety features would have made the RCV [refuse collection vehicle] safer," they said.

They concluded it was likely a transparent screen impeded Mr Carpenter's access to an emergency stop button and he probably thought the vehicle's rear was safe to enter.

Evidence presented to them showed the risk of a person's clothing becoming entangled was "foreseeable" the jury foreman said, describing a risk assessment as "inadequate, insufficient and incomplete".

They also noted there was no specific training on how refuse workers should remove debris from a machine.

"A culture of under reporting incidents and near misses contributed to increased risk of missed opportunities to keep Mr Carpenter safe," jurors added.

The grandfather, an experienced refuse collector of more than 40 years, was on Guild Road in the Foleshill area on the morning of his death.

The coroner's court previously heard he had been described by relatives as a warm, humble and loving family man.

He had been collecting bins from the side of the road and emptying them into the lorry with driver Rafal Gancarz and fellow operative Sean Isherwood.

According to a union official, Mr Carpenter had been "agitated and stressed" before starting his shift due to a dispute with a supervisor.

At about 10:00 GMT, his jacket got caught in the lifting equipment at the back of the lorry.

A member of the public saw him thrown into the vehicle's rear before alerting Mr Isherwood, who hit the truck's emergency stop button.