Tributes paid to steel plant worker after forklift tragedy (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Tributes paid to Brompton man who died in accident at Severfield-Watson plant near Thirsk

5:25pm Monday 18th March 2013 in News By Stuart Minting

TRIBUTES have been paid to a forklift truck driver who died after being crushed at the largest steel fabrication plant in the UK.

Colleagues and friends of Kelvin McGibbon said they had been devastated by the tragedy at the Severfield-Watson plant, at Dalton Airfield Industrial Estate, near Thirsk, last Wednesday (March 13).

Mr McGibbon, of Hilton Close, Brompton, near Northallerton, had suffered serious injuries after becoming trapped under a forklift in the plant’s stores area.

The 27-year-old was pronounced dead after being airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary.

A joint Health and Safety Executive and North Yorkshire Police investigation into the incident is ongoing, but police have said it appeared to have been a “tragic accident”.

An inquest into Mr McGibbon’s death is expected to be opened this week.

A spokesman for Severfield-Watson, said: “Everyone here is in a state of shock. Our thoughts are with his family and we will do all we can to help them through this.

"Kelvin was a much loved and valuable member of our company and we are deeply saddened by what has happened. " Shaun Watson, the firm’s stores manager, said Mr McGibbon had been a great friend whom he and his colleagues would never forget.

He said: “Kelvin lived life to the full. He was a loveable cheeky chappy who loved joking with his mates.

“He loved to live the high life and to see Manchester United play at Old Trafford.”