A REFUSE collector was crushed to death by his own bin wagon, an inquest heard on Thursday.

Leonard Minshull, aged 50, of Smithy Grove, Sandbach, was knocked down as he collected bins last December in Kennet Drive, Congleton.

The accident occurred as Mr Minshull was walking away from the reversing vehicle to collect bins in a quiet cul-de-sac at 3.35pm on December 1.

The court heard how he was hit by the rear of the vehicle and knocked underneath before the driver or his workmate noticed.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and a post mortem examination revealed he died of multiple injuries.

The inquest heard that Mr Minshull, who had been walking in the centre of the road, had been warned that the wagon was reversing but did not manage to get out of the way in time.

Workmate Alan Proudlove said: "I shouted for him to get out of the way. He appeared to hear me and started to walk to the pavement until I couldn't see him past the side of the wagon.

"I noticed the back clip him but didn't realise how badly until I got around the other side."

Mr Proudlove described Mr Minshull as a talkative, likeable man who had worked for Congleton Borough Council for more than 29 years.

"He was always singing, laughing and talking, and he was chatting about Christmas just before the accident.

The inquest jury recorded a verdict of accidental death.

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