A forklift truck driver’s failure to not follow the safe system of work, contributed to his death, an inquest concluded. Grandad and dad Anthony Watson, also known as Tony, died when his forklift ended up on top of him.
An inquest at Nottingham’s Council House saw a jury conclude the cause of death was an accident after he suffered a head injury on July 11, 2022, at flooring distributors Cheshires of Nottingham Warehouse, in Dabell Avenue, Bulwell.
Mr Watson started his shift at 8.30am that day and was operating the forklift truck. At around 10.48am he placed a row of flooring onto a shelf.
Read more: Family pay tribute to ‘best friend’ dad Anthony Watson who died at work in Bulwell
In order to do that, he would have to extend the mast of the forklift to that height. “Moments later something caused him to topple,” explained Assistant coroner for Nottinghamshire, Michael Wall, to the jury on Monday (July 31). “It appears, as it toppled, Tony fell or jumped from the vehicle but, tragically, it ended up on top of him and he was killed”.
In his record of inquest on Friday (August 4), following the finding by 11 jurors, Mr Wall noted Mr Watson was at work conducting his role as a warehouse operative, operating a fork lift truck. At the time of the incident, he was driving a Adlet Fork lift truck, when his raised mast struck the RSJ ‘the beam’ and caused the truck to topple over, which contributed to his death.
“Tony was fully trained at the time of the accident, however the training was not followed by the driver and his failure to not follow the safe system of work, contributed to his death,” read the record of inquest.
“Risk of travelling with raised mast were recognised in training, control measures were in the safe system of work. The safe systems of work were not enforced by management, which also contributed Tony’s death. It’s likely that the removal of the speed limiter was a contributing factor in his death.
Cheshires has been contacted by Nottinghamshire Live for comment. Mr Watson’s son Luke, 23, said last July his dad lived in Bulwell and was “very popular” around pubs in the area.
Both Mr Watson, 50, of Bulwell, and his son enjoyed going to Liverpool games, and these trips to Anfield are among Luke’s most cherished memories. Luke had said “it felt like a nightmare” when he found out his father would not be coming home, who also leaves behind wife Michelle Watson and another son Ryan Watson.
Luke had said: “It still doesn’t feel real yet. In our family we’re all trying to stay strong for each other. We were best friends, we did everything together. He absolutely loved going to the pub and watching football.
“My dad loved going to watch Liverpool, too; we were in the Kop to see them beat Aston Villa just before Christmas last year, and it was always great when all the family would get together and enjoy meals. Everyone around Bulwell knows and loves him, I don’t know anyone with a bad word to say about him.
“He was so loved by everyone, he was such a good guy – me and mum are trying to keep strong for each other. There’s a memorial outside Cheshires where he worked, too, where loads have paid their respects.”
A spokesperson for Headlam Group, owners of Cheshires, had said previously: “Tony Watson was a much-valued colleague of everyone at Cheshires. Our sincere condolences are with Tony’s family and friends, and our priority is to support them at this difficult time.
“Tony worked for us for more than 33 years and was not just a work colleague, he was considered a friend and an irreplaceable member of the Cheshires team – everyone has been shocked and deeply saddened by his death. We will continue to give our full support and co-operation to the ongoing investigation currently being undertaken by the authorities.”
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