A LOCAL businessman has been killed in an horrendous accident at his own company.

Ronald Sutton, aged 50, was crushed to death when part of a forklift truck fell on him.

Mr Sutton, of Parr Lane, Chorley, was part owner of Premier Ford Trucks, Kirkby, near Liverpool, where the tragedy happened last Thursday afternoon. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation into the accident was immediately launched after representatives from the Health and Safety Executive visited the plant.

They left with parts of the truck and now plan to test them at their Sheffield laboratories.

It is understood that Mr Sutton had been working on a large truck using a sling when it broke and fell on him.

An inquest was opened on Tuesday at the Coroners Office in Whiston, near St. Helens.

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said: "Mr Sutton was working on a truck which was suspended by a winch. The harness appears to have snapped which meant the truck fell on him."

Mr Sutton's wife Mary only found out about the tragedy late on Thursday evening when she returned from a day out.

Premier Ford Trucks employs three people and repairs and services fork lift trucks.

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