Machine operator and tyre worker killed at work
Stephen O’Flynn, 19, was crushed to death by a moving vehicle during his work at S Tyres Ltd on the Centre Park Road, Cork, at 9.20am.
A short time earlier, a 27-year-old Dublin man died on a building site in Bray, Co Wicklow when machinery came into contact with overhead electricity lines.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) said its inspectors are, along with gardaí, were investigating both tragedies.
Fifty-seven people died last year in industrial accidents, a slight decrease on 2001 when 64 died.
The machine operator in Bray was not named by gardaí. He was working at the new Diamond Valley apartment complex on Upper Dargle Road when the accident occurred.
He was taken to Loughlinstown Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Mr O’Flynn’s death was the first fatality in the last 10 years in the motor industry. He was believed to have been struck by a moving commercial vehicle on which he had been working.
The body of the teenager, who lived at Boreenmanagh Road, was taken to Cork University Hospital where a post-mortem was conducted.
Irish Tyres Industry Association chief executive Jack Farrell said, traditionally the industry has a good safety record.
“We are stunned by the tragic death of a young man. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family and colleagues,” he said.
The company, S Tyres, is one of the largest tyre suppliers in the city Cyril McHugh, chief executive of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) said the sector was hugely safety conscious.
“The motor industry has an almost exceptional safety record,” he said, pointing out one previous tragedy occurred in the last 10 years in a sector employing 52,000 people.
Fatal industrial accidents this year, to date, investigated by the HSA included three in the farm sector, two in commercial shipping, two on building sites and others in the manufacture, haulage, fishing, aircraft and motor industries.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
