Dock worker's tragic accident

Published on 26th April 2007 in News

A 'focused' and 'experienced' Russian crew member on board a ship that regularly docked in Goole died tragically from multiple injuries after being run over by a reach-stacker truck whilst it was reversing, Hull Coroner's Court heard last week.

Alexsandra Khamzatov (33), of St Petersburg, Russia, was the chief officer onboard the mv Odin, and was supervising the loading of the ship's containers at Aldam Dock off Stanhope Street, Goole on the day of his death last October.

In a statement read to the court Vadim Kulygin, a colleague of Mr Khamzatov - who was known as Alex to his co-workers - said that he was a "very experienced man" and that on the day of the accident had begun work at 6am and appeared to be in "good spirits" as he set about making notes before the ship set sail.

The court heard that Barry Proctor, a shipping clerk for Goole Independent Stevedores, was with Mr Khamzatov at the time of the accident.

In a statement read to the court, Mr Proctor said that the driver of a reach-stacker truck, Mark Wattam, had been asked to pick up an empty container and as Mr Wattam began reversing the truck, Mr Proctor saw Mr Khamzatov was standing behind one of the truck's wheels.

"I shouted 'Alex' and ran towards him," said Mr Proctor.

"The reverse beeper on the truck was still going off and the wheel was almost on top of Alex. I grabbed the front of his clothing, but the truck carried him away from me."

Mr Proctor said he had rubber burns on his jeans and his arms from where he came into contact with the truck, and described seeing Alex lying face down on the ground as a "hell of a mess".

Truck driver Mr Wattam said that he had been working at Goole's docks for nearly 12 years and that 10 of those years had been spent driving high-reach stacker trucks.

He told the court that he came in to work early on the day of the accident and thoroughly checked his vehicle, including the mirrors, before starting work.

"My mirrors were okay when I jumped in," he said.

Mr Wattam said that he thoroughly checked around him before he began reversing. As he moved the truck backwards, he saw two men standing at the side, holding their hands up and telling him to stop.

Mr Wattam said: "I didn't know there was anyone in range behind me. If I did, I wouldn't be sat here now."

Vehicle examiner Ian Charlton told the court that he found the reach-stacker truck to be in good order and free from any defect. But he said that the angle at which the vehicle's mirrors were placed could have been a contributing factor in the accident, as there was a three-metre gap at either side of the vehicle in which the driver would not have been able to see anyone by looking through the mirrors.

Mr Wattam was breathalised following the tragic incident, but produced a negative test.

Kirsty Welsh, an inspector for the Health and Safety Executive, presented the court with a report and said that no one knew why Mr Khamzatov left the ship at the time that he did, but that it was usual for him to work between the ship and the dock.

Ms Welsh added that a two-way radio system was not in operation on the day of Mr Khamzatov's death due to flat batteries but said that she did not think having the radios working would have stopped the accident from happening. There was reported to have been a high-level of noise on the docks on the day of the operation, and this could have affected Mr Khamzatov's awareness of the reversing warning mechanism on the reach-stacker truck.

New system in place

Ms Welsh also said that following the incident, a pedestrian walkway, one-way system and turning areas were now being implemented on Goole docks.

The jury heard that Alexsandra Khamzatov died at the scene from multiple injuries and unanimously returned a verdict of accidental death.