BOLTON bakers Warburtons came under fire today from two young daughters whose dad died in a horrific works accident.

Kerry and Kelly Howarth, whose father David was crushed under the wheels of a 40ft-long lorry reversing at the famous firm's Hereford Street site, said it had taken the 46-year-old's death to highlight the need for a string of safety improvements revealed by the company at an inquest yesterday.

Kerry, 21, of Horwich, said: "Only after my father died did they do anything."

During the six-hour hearing, coroner Martin Coppel, directing jurors who later returned a verdict of accidental death, said he did not believe the company's safety policies had directly contributed to the death of disabled cleaner Mr Howarth.

But, earlier in the inquest, safety issues concerning the movement of lorries at the factory site had been raised and several Warburtons managers told the court how a host of improvements had been made since the tragedy.

Overflow

Mr Howarth, of Watersmead Close, Halliwell, Bolton, died in a "non-vehicle" area which was being used for temporary overflow parking for trailers at the time of his death. Coroner Mr Coppel also accused Warburtons transport manager John Irwin of being "less than frank" when giving evidence about problems with safety on the site grounds.

New measures revealed yesterday included high visibility clothing for staff, improved road signs around site, pedestrian crossings, audible "reversing" alarms and lights for some lorries and hi-tech cameras in the back of trucks which enable drivers to see space behind them using dashboard TV screens.

Divorced Mr Howarth, who walked with a limp and had no use in his left hand, but had worked for Warburtons for 22 years, was killed when a lorry driven by contract driver Chris Osmand reversed over him on January 9. Warburtons said in a statement yesterday that it had co-operated fully with health and safety officials and had carried out its own "thorough review".

Chairman Ross Warburton added: "Everyone at Warburtons remains deeply saddened by David's death. He was a popular and hard working member of the team," adding: "He is still very much missed by his friends and colleagues and at this time of year our thoughts are with all of David's family."

Mr Howarth's daughter Kerry also spoke of a caring and proud man who had maintained an independent life despite his disabilities.

She said: "People should never forget he was a good man."

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